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AN    ABSTRACT 


PROCEEDINGS 


ANTinrASONIC  S7ATZ3  CONVEN'TXOnr 


MASSACHUSETTS. 

mtirt   in  iFantttfl   ?©aU, 

BOSTON, 

MAY   19  &   20,   1831. 


BOSTON  : 

PRINTED  AT  THE  OFFICE  OF  THE  BOSTON  PRESS, 

FOR    THE    PUBLISHING    COMMITTEE. 

1831. 


12 


MASSACKUSXSTTS    CONVENTZOM'. 


Thursday,  May  19,  1831. 

A  Convention  of  Delegates,  elected  in  conformity  to  a 
recommendation  of  the  Antimasonic  State  Committee  of  Massachu- 
setts assembled  this  day  at  Faneuii  Hall,  in  the  City  of  Boston, 
agreeable  to  previous  arrangements.  Two  hundred  and  forty- 
five  members  were  present. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  by  Hon.  George  Odiorne, 
the  oldest  member  from  Suffolk. 

On  motion,  it  was 

Voted^  That  Messrs.  Amasa  Walker  of  Suffolk,  «nd  William  B. 
Breed  of  Essex,  be  a  Committee  to  receive  and  examine  the  cre- 
dentials of  the  Delegates  to  this  Convention. 

The  following  gentlemen  were  nominated  and  elected  Officers 
of  the  Convention. 

Hon.  TIMOTHY  FULLER,  of  Middlesex,  PrciiVe/tf. 

Gen.  Stephen  P.  Gardner,  of  Worcester,^ 

t)oct.  Abner  Phelps,  of  Suffolk  ^.^^  Presideiifs. 

Gen.  Epaphras  Hoyt,  ot  Prankim, 

MicAH  H,  Ruggles,  Esq.  of  Bristol,  J 

John  Burrage,  of  Bristol,  "] 

Col.  Gardner  Burbank,  of  Worcester,         |  ^g^^g^^^^-^, 

Thomas  W.  Ward,  Jr.,  of  Worcester,  i 

Nathaniel  Fisher  Ames,  of  Suffolk,  J 

Voted^  That  this  Convention  will  now  attend  prayers,  and  that 
lire  Rev.  Mr.  Goffe,  of  Worcester,  be  requested  to  officiate. 

That  Benjamin  F.  Hallett,  Esq.,  of  Rhode  Island,  be  invited 
to  a  seat  as  an  honorary  member. 

That  a  Committee  of  one  from  each  County,  to  wit,— 
Messrs.  Hall,  of  Suffolk,  Oliver,  of  Essex,  Ames,  of  Plymouth, 
Brinley,  of  Norfolk,  Bowman  of  Middlesex,  Bennett,  of  Bristol, 
Starkweather,  of  Hampshire,  Hoar,  of  Hampden,  and  Wells,  of 
Franklin,  be  a  Committee  to  invite  snch  gentlemen  of  their  respec- 
tive Counties  as  are  present,  to  take  seats  as  honorary  members  oT 
this  Convention. 


m229;S70 


4  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC      CONVENTION. 

That  a  Committee  of  five,  to  wit,— Messrs.  Rice,  of  Wor- 
cester, Bailey,  of  Norfolk,  Barnes  of  Suffolk,  Gifford,  of  Bris- 
tol, and  Breed,  of  Essex,  be  chosen  to  propose  rules  and  orders 
for  the  government  of  this  Convention. 

That  the  Antimasonic  State  Committee  be  requested  to  report 
on  such  matters  as  they  may  deem  pertinent  to  the  cause  of  Anti- 
masonry. 

Doctor  Abner  Phelps,  Chairman  of  said  Committee,  then  made 
the  following 

REPORT. 
Mr.  President, 

AND  Gentlemen  of  the  Convention, 
In  compliance  with  your  call  on  the  State  Committee,  1  am  di- 
rected to  answer. 

The  patriotic  citizens  of  Massachusetts  are  here  assembled  by 
their  Delegates.  No  common  occurrence;  no  trivial  event;  no 
ambitious  project,  has  occnsioned  it.  Intelligence  and  cool  delib- 
eration counteract  and  forbid  unnecepciry  excitement.  But  this  nu- 
merous and  punctual  attendance  from  distant  Counties ;  this  vener- 
able appearance  and  crowded  auditory,  evince  public  sentiment 
upon  a  subject  worthy  of  grave  contemplation. 

We  have  come  up  to  Faneuil  Hall,  which  our  Fathers  conse- 
crated to  Liberty.  Here  was  inspired  American  Independence; 
here  it  was  fostered  in  its  Cradle,  and  here  were  roused  those  mighty 
energies  which  strangled  the  British  Lion. 

W^e  enter  this  place  to  day,  with  holy  devotion,  and  anxious  so- 
licitude, as  we  humbly  trust,  for  the  political  salvation  of  our  coun- 
try. We  come  ''  to  consult  upon  the  common  good,  seek  redress  of 
wrongs  and  grievances  suffered"''^  from  Secret  Societies. 

Wrongs  the  most  cruel  and  criminal  have  been  committed,  and 
multiplied  grievances  arisen,  that  can  be  no  longer  endured. 
On  looking  round  for  the  cause  of  these  evils,  we  are  struck  with 
astonishment  and  alarm  at  the  disclosures.  So  much  has  been  pub- 
lished already,  that  your  Committee  apprehend  a  brief  statement 
of  facts  will,  at  this  time  be  most  acceptable  to  the  Convention. 

The  Suffolk  Committee  were  first  appointed  by  a  numerous 
body  of  their  fellow  citizens  in  August,  1829,  "  <o  investigate  the 
nature,  principles,  and  tendency  of  Freemasonry."  No  member  of 
the  Board  had  ever  been  initiated.  They  felt  the  kindest  feelings 
towards  many  members  of  the  Fraternity ;  and  they  still  cherish 
those  feelings.  They  entertained  a  sincere  desire  to  discharge 
their  duty  without  injury  to  any  man,  impartially  and  faithfully  to 
the  public.  Had  considerations  of  a  private  or  personal  nature 
been  suffered  to  operate  on  their  minds,  they  would  have  declined 
the  labour,  expense  and  difficulties  of  the  investigation. 

Various  methods  were  resorted  to,  by  influential  members  of  the 
Fraternity,  to  induce  all,  or  nearly  every  individual  of  the  Commit- 
tee to  withdraw.  A  specimen,  or  two,  may  be  mentioned,  merely 
to  show  the  character  of  the  opposition.  Some  were  told  that  the 
Institution  is  very  charitable,  very  ancient  and  honourable,  the 
handmaid  of  religion;  that  the  good,  the  wise,  and  the  great  of  all 
.   ages  had  belonged  to  it.  That  Washington,  Franklin,  and  Lafayette 


Massachusetts  antimasottic  con\"ention.  5 

^vere  masons.  Would  they,  it  was  asked,  belong-  to  a  bad  Institu- 
tion ?  Others  were  told  that  the  greatest  and  most  respectable  men 
in  the  nation,  civil  and  military,  learned  divines^  pious  clergymen, 
and  other  highly  esteemed  citizens  were  noiji:  Masons.  "  Please,"" 
said  they,  ^^  look  at  their  characters,  and  judge  of  the  Institution  ot" 
Freemasonry.  There's  no  need  of  any  inquiry ;  there  surely  is 
no  necessity  (or  further  investigation." 

To  this,  in  substance,  was  replied,  ''^ These  things  may  be  so; 
the  Institution  may  be  very  ancient;  but  every  good  system  is  ben- 
efitted by  close  examination.  The  public,  however,  seem  to 
demand,  at  least,  probable  evidence  that  Freemasonry  is  very  an- 
cient. If  it  has  existed  from  Anno  Lncis,  as  it  pretends,  or  from 
the  days  of  Solomon,  or  from  the  time  of  St.  John,  or  from  any 
other  period  previous  to  the  last  century,  there  must  be  evidence 
of  the  fact.  One  would  suppose  some  ancient  history  must  have 
recorded  it;  customs  and  ceremonies  alluded  to  it ;  and  that  ancient 
relics,  masonic  plates,  inscriptions  and  emblems  from  foundations  of 
old  monuments,  castles  and  temples  must  now  exist  to  demonstrate 
it.  And  further  ;  great  and  good  men  have  no  doubt  been  made 
masons.  We  admire  their  characters,  and  will  inquire  whether 
they  became  initiates  from  what  they  before  kriew  of  the  Institu- 
tion, or  from  what  they  were  previouslj'  told  by  interested  men  : 
whether  Freemasonry  made  or  tended  to  make  them  great  and 
good  ?  and  in  proof,  whether  such  men,  generally^  have  been  the 
most  thorough  Lodge-going  Masons?  Or,  whether,  after  a  short 
acquaintance  with  the  secrets  and  mysteries  of  the  order,  they  have 
not  ceased  to  attend  ?  For  if  so,  this  neglect  yVom  such  men,  must 
be  evidence  against  the  concern.  We  cannot  suppose  that  Wash- 
ington, Franklin,  or  Lafayette  would  have  neglected  a  good  Insti- 
tution* 

Such  suggestions  as  these  were  by  no  means  satisfactory  to  indi- 
viduals of  the  Fraternity.  The  Masons  appeared  to  dread  more 
than  any  thing  an  investigation  of  their  Institution.  Sometimes, 
intimations  were  thrown  out,  calculated  to  operate  on  the  fears  of 
the  Committee.  They  were  told  of  the  great  numbers,  the  tre- 
mendous power  and  influence  of  the  Fraternity  :  that  Boston  con- 
tained GOOO  Freemasons,  and  the  United  States  more  than  350,000  : 
that  if  th"  Committee  proceeded,  a  host  of  enemies  would  rise  up 
against  them  :  that  desperate  fellows  ixere  in  the  Lnstitutiox  !  and 
it  could  not  be  put  down  !  "  Toil  and  labour  cannot  affect  it.  No 
man  can  stand  before  it."  With  significant  looks  an(^  gestures,  they 
said,  "Your  business  and  occupations  will  be  injured.  Your  inter- 
ests and  prospects  will  be  cut  off;  a  civil  war  will  be  created; 
there  will  be  blood !  Your  characters  and  reputations  will  be 
ruined." 

"  If  such,"  said  the  Committee,  '*  be  the  tower  and  disposition 
of  Freemasonry,  there'' s  no  hfsitaliun — zve  give  ourselves  to  the  rcork — 
we  will  make  the  attempt.,  and  try  to  go  through  it. — It  is  the  cause  of 
mir  common  country  and  of  niaukind.  IficefalU  lei  it  be  so:  if  xae 
arc  sacrificed^  it  will  be  on  the  altar  of  patriotism.     This  Ixstitttion 

ML'^T    BE    EXAMINED,  ITS    GATES    THROWN  OPEN ITS  COVERING  TAKEN  OFF 

ITS    WAI  IS      TAKEN    DOWN  :      THE    BROAD    LIGHT    OF    DAY    LET    INTO    ITS 


6  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 


MYSTERIOUS    VAULTS:     ITS    PRISONERS    SET    FREE,    AND    ITS    DARK    SECRETS 
EXPOSED." 

With  these  resolutions,  and  these  warnings,  the  Suffolk  Commit- 
tee commenced  the  undertaking.  They  were  aware  of  their 
responsibility.  Their  characters,  public  and  private,  known  for 
near  half  a  century,  and  again  confided  in  on  this  occasion,  had 
nothing  to  do  with  the  controversy.  They  left  every  thing  to  the 
care,  candour,  and  discretion  of  their  fellow  citizens.  However 
dear  their  characters  might  be  to  them,  they  early  resolved  to  take 
no  notice  of  any  attack  upon  that  quarter.  It  would  only  divert 
attention  from  "  the  nature^  principles  and  tendency  o{  Freemasonry," 
to  personal  altercations,  irrelative  to  the  subject.  There  was 
much  to  be  done :  there  was  no  time  ;  their  numbers  were  too 
few,  to  stop  and  dress  the  wounded,  (should  such  there  be,)  in  the 
heat  of  contest. 

Measures  were  immediately  taken  to  elicit  ''  the  truth,  the  whole 
truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,"  respecting  Freemasonry.  An 
office  was  procured,  a  Masonic  and  Antimasonic  Library  com- 
menced, and  a  correspondence  opened  with  gentlemen  of  high 
standing  in  various  parts  of  the  country. 

On  the  evening  of  the  8th  of  September,  1829,  twelve  days  after 
the  Committee  were  appointed,  was  held,  what  has  been  denom- 
inated, from  its  numbers  and  respectability, "  The  Great  Meeting 
at  Faneuil  Hall."  The  information  communicated,  and  the  elo- 
quence displayed,  on  that  occasion,  will  be  long  remembered.  The 
most  appalling  disclosures  were  made.  A  number  of  high  minded 
and  honourable  seceding  Masons  came  boldly  forward,  and  bore 
testimony  to  the  truth  of  what  they  had  seen  and  heard.  They 
testified  that  Freemasonry  is  the  same  in  Massachusetts  as  in  the 
State  of  New  York ;  and  this  was  in  part  confirmed  by  the  noise 
^nd  riotous  conduct  of  some  of  the  Fraternity  present. 

A  Resolution,  calling  a  State  Convention  on  the  30th  of  Decem- 
ber following,  was  there   passed   by  an   immense  majority. 

The  effects  of  that  meeting  were  highly  beneficial  to  the  cause, 
though  the  conduct  of  Masons  was  much  more  orderly  than  on  sub- 
sequent occasions.  They  appeared  then  to  act  more  without  con- 
cert, and  not  so  much  by  superior  authority. 

Arrangements  were  soon  after  made  in  the  several  Counties  for 
the  State  Convention,  and  numerous  indications  were  given  that 
information  was  only  wanted  to  induce  the  people  to  act  with 
promptness  and  decision. 

Among  the  correspondence  of  the  Committee  which  followed, 
may  be  mentioned  the  very  able  and  valuable  letter  of  Sheriff 
SuxMNER.  No  man  in  this  community  stood  higher  in  the  esteem, 
or  enjoyed  more  sincerely  the  confidence,  love  and  respect  of  the 
public,  than  the  Sheriff  of  Suffolk.  His  benevolent  feelings ; 
his  commanding  talents,  and  unimpeachable  character,  had  secured 
for  him,  as  was  supposed,  an  elevation  too  consecrated  for  malice 
to  attempt.  But  no  sooner  was  this  letter  published,  than  the  off- 
spring of  malevolence,  slander,  and  defamation  were  let  loose  from 
the  Lodge-room.  They  aimed  at  his  Jair  fame  but  they  "  bit  a 
file  :"  they  spit  their  poison  but  against  the  wind  to  recoil  on  them- 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  7, 

selves.  His  own  merited  elevation  they  could  not  reach,  or  breathe 
the  pure  atmosphere  in  which  he  lived. 

The  same  remarks  apply  to  another  distinguished  gentleman  in 
the  County  of  Worcester,  Col.  Puny  Merrick.  He  stood  in  public 
estimation  and  regard  with  Sheriff  Sumner.  But  his  powerful  and 
convincing  letter  to  the  Committee  of  that  county,  was  no 
sooner  published,  than  the  same  furies  were  sent  forth  from  the 
same  place  to  destroy  him.  They  made  the  attempt,  and  sorely 
have  Masons  regretted  their  presumption.  They  have  been  dis- 
mayed at  the  lightnings  of  his  eloquence,  and  struck  down  with  the 
thunderbolts  of  truth.  It  has  beamed  upon  their  unaccus- 
tomed eyes,  and  upon  Masonry,  such  a  refulgence,  that  they  are 
unable  to  look  up  or  retreat.  They  lie  prostrate,  in  despair  of 
reaching  him.  He  is  calm  and  serene,  moving  on  in  public  favour, 
without  a  cloud  ''  to  the  clear  upper  sky." 

The  researches  of  the  Suffolk  Committee,  relative  to  the  anti- 
quity of  Freemasonry,  have  been  highly  satisfactory.  They  have 
examined  for  themselves  extensively,  and  sought  assistance  from 
the  highest  sources  of  information  in  the  country,  with  a  belief  that 
much  depends  upon  a  correct  decision  of  the  question.  They  have 
discovered  no  book  on  Freemasonry  written  prior  to  1723  ;  ten  years 
previous  to  its  establishment  in  Boston,  and  near  300  years  after 
the  discovery  of  printing.  But  in  order  to  render  this  subject 
mor&^Rtisfactory,  the  Committee  proposed  the  following  question 
to  the  President  and  Professors  of  Harvard  University,  and  also  to 
the  President  and  Professors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  An- 
dover: — 

"Is  there  any  known  history  to  justify  the  belief  that  Specula- 
tive, or  Freemasonry  had  existence  prior  to  the  last  century?" 

After  raore  than  a  month,  the  following  letter  was  received  from 
the  President  of  Harvard  College,  who  is  a  Mason. 

Harvard  University^  Cambridge^  Dec.  5th.,  1829. 

To  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Suffolk  Committee. 

Gentlemen, — I  have  received,  and  laid  before  the  Faculty  of 
Harvard  University,  your  letter,  requesting  an  expression  of  their 
sentiments  on  the  question,  "  Is  there  any  known  history  to  justify 
the  belief  that  Speculative,  or  Freemasonry  had  existence  prior  to. 
the  last  century?"  In  reply,  I  have  the  honour,  by  request  of  the 
Faculty,  to  state.,  that  they  have  no  knowledge  of  any  such  history. 
On  inquiry  of  the  Librarian  of  the  University,  and  on  examining 
the  Catalogue  of  Books,  no  such  has  been  found.  The  subject  is 
one,  however,  on  which  the  members  of  the  Faculty  profess  to  have 
no  precise  information,  it  having  never  before  been  presented  to 
them  as  an  object  of  interest  and  inquiry. 

Should  any  books  in  the  College  Library  be  found  to  be  impor- 
tant for  your  purposes  in  the  coarse  of  your  investigation,  they  wiH, 
without  doubt,  on  application,  be  placed  at  the  command  of  any 
person  engaged  under  your  authority,  in  the  research  you  have- 
instituted. 

Very  respectfully.  Gentlemen, 

I  am  your  obedient  servant, 

JOSIAH  QUINCr, 
President  of  Harvard  University. 


8  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASOMC    CONVENTION. 

In  answer  to  the  same  question,  the  Rev.  Leonard  Woods,  D.  D. 
Professor  of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Andover,  writes, — "  I 
have  never  seen  or  heard  of  any  evidence  of  any  kind  or  degree, 
in  support  of  the  pretended  antiquity  of  Freemasonry  ;  and  I  sup- 
pose the  same  is  true  of  all  others.  What  then  can  we  do  consist- 
ently with  reason  and  common  sense,  but  to  withhold  our  belief" 

The  Rev.  Professor  Stuart  writes  : — 

"  Gentlemen, — In  answer  to  your  inquiries  respecting  any  (races 
of  the  history  of  Freemasonry  in  ancient  times,  1  reply,  that  it  has 
not  been  my  lot  to  tind  any  thing  of  this  nature  in  any  book  that  I 
have  ever  perused,  either  in  any  of  the  Asiatic  or  European  lan- 
guages. I  take  it  to  be  a  point  conceded  by  all  literary  men,  that 
no  such  traces  exist  in  any  ancient  record  whatever.  The  pretence 
that  Freemasonry  was  known  in  the  lime  of  Solomon  is  refuted  by 
the  internal  evidence  "which  Masonic  books  themselves  contain." 

Where,  your  Committee  would  ask,  can  a  question,  on  any  sub- 
ject relating  to  antiquity,  be  more  fully  and  satisfactorily  settled, 
iu  this  country,  than  at  the  oldest  and  most  extensive  libraries? 
Who  can  better  decide,  what  those  libraries  contain,  than  the  nu- 
merous and  learned  professors  and  presidents,  who  have  spent  their 
long  and  laborious  lives  in  their  perusal  and  examination?  Who 
can  better  tell  the  ancient  manners  and  customs  of  nations  and  indi- 
viduals, tribes  and  confederacies,  than  the  great  masters  of  oriental 
languages  and  literature  ?  Is  it  to  be  supposed  that  all  the  great 
and  learned  men  of  antiquity,  could  have  belonged  to  a  society  of 
such  exalted  excellence  as  Freemasons  pretend  theirs  to  be,  with- 
out its  being  so  much  as  once  mentioned,  or  even  alluded  to?  To 
your  Committee  the  thing  is  incredible.  The  inquiry  has  not  been 
as  to  the  time  when  operative  Masonry  began,  more  than  any  other 
mechanical  employment.  But  when  were  the  tools  of  an  operative 
Mason  first  used^  ''  as  free  and  accepted  masons"  say,  ''''/'or  the  more 
noble  and  glorious  purposed  When  did  Speculative,  or  Freemason- 
ry, as  we  now  see  it,  commence?  When  were  its  "ancient  land- 
marks" Jirst  fixed,  "■  which,"  as  they  say,  "  no  man,  or  body  of 
men,  has  power  to  alter  ?"  Were  they  fixed  by  the  wise  King 
Solomon?  We  have  the  best  evidence  the  nature  of  the  case  ad- 
mits, that  all  antiquity  for  56  centuries  is  silent  on  this  subject. 
What  prevented  such  "  a  noble  and  meritorious  Institution,  patron- 
ized by  Prophets^  Apostles^  and  Wise  Men,'^''  from  ever  being  once 
spoken  of  or  mentioned  in  writing  ?  Was  it  because  it  did  not  ex- 
ist^ or  was  it  because  all  antiquity  was  ashamed  to  mention  it? 
Why,  again,  we  ask,  is  all  antiquity  siient  on  this  subject?  Why 
is  there  no  mention  of  splendid  x^Iasonic  Processions,  the  Laying  of 
Corner  Stones^  and  the  deposit  of  Plates,  previous  to  the  last  cen- 
tury? And  where  are  those  plates?  Amidst  all  the  vast  ruins  of 
so  many  ages,  and  so  many  countries,  not  one  is  known  to  have 
been  discovered.  The  future  historian  will  have  ample  materials 
to  prove  the  existence  of  Freemasonry  from  1717  to  the  present 
time ;  and,  from  present  appearances,  he  will  be  able  to  show  the 
cause  of  its  destruction. 

For  these,  and  similar  reasons,  your  Committee  most  fully  concur 
in  the  accurate  and  welt  drawn  conclusions,  of  that  learned  and 


liiASSACHtrSETTS   ANTIHASONTC  COlTVTaffTXoK*  9 

distinguished  citizen,  Henrj  D.  Ward,  Esq.,  of  New  York,  on  this 
subject,  "  That  Freemasonry  c/ici  not  exist  prior  to  the  last  century." 
The  important  truth  that  follows  irresistibly  and  conclusively  is 
this,  that  Freemasonry,  with  all  its  pretensions,  fs  a  modern  forg- 
ery, an  J,  of  course,  an  infamous  imposture.  What  other  conclusions 
can  be  drawn  ?  A  deed,  a  nt3te,  a  bond,  or  any  other  instrument 
forged^  is  not  only  declared  null  and  void,  but  its  author,  bis  aiders 
and  abettors  are  subject  to  infamous  punishment  Lik-e  a  spurious 
coin.  Freemasonry  is  proved  a  counterfeit.  Many,  with  pure  mo- 
tives, have  heretofore  given  it  currency;  but  now  it  is  detected  and 
exposed,  every  honest  man  will  assist  in  nailing  it  to  the  counter. 

After  the  Suffolk  Committee  had  ascertained  the  truth,  and  the 
whole  truth,  as  to  the  origin  of  the  Masonic  Institution,  prepara- 
tions were  made  for  the  First  Antimasonic  State  Convention  of 
Massachusetts.  That  body  assembled  in  this  Hall,  on  the  30th  of 
December,  1829;  and  consisted  of  about  200  members,  from  eight 
counties  of  this  Commonwealth.  They  proceeded  in  great  har- 
mony, and  their  doings  have  been  well  received,  and  extensively 
useful  to  the  public. 

That  Convention  took  measures  to  diffuse  information,  and 
appointed  various  committees  for  that  purpose.  They  Resolved, 
that  the  gentlemen  composing  ''  the  Suffolk  Committee"  be  "ihe 
State  Committee,"  with  power  to  carry  into  effect  the  objects  of 
that  body. 

Among  the  numerous  disclosures  made  to  your  Committee,  wa« 
the  deposition  of  Mr.  Samuel  G.  Anderton,  of  this  city.  The  im- 
portance of  that  document  is  such,  that  it  demands  the  closest  scru- 
tiny. About  six  or  eight  months  before,  a  gentlemen  of  undoubted 
veracity  and  respectability,  stated,  that  his  neighbour,  Mr.  Ander- 
ton, a  Knight  Templar,  and  a  man  with  whom  he  had  been  long 
acquainted,  told  him,  in  conversation  on  the  subject  of  Freemason- 
ry, that  "  he  once  saw  something  in  the  Lodge-room,  that  induced 
him,  on  going  to  sea,  soon  after,  to  throw  his  apron,  and  all  his 
masonic  certiticates,  overboard,  and  that  he  had  not  been  in  a 
Lodge-room  since.  But  that  Mr.  Anderton  refused  to  tell  what  it 
was."  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Artemas  Kennedy,  of  Milton,  a  seced- 
ing Knight  Templar,  who  was  found  dead,  ''  at  low  water  mark^^"*  on 
the  morning  of  the  27th  of  February,  1830,  and  under  circumstan- 
ces, which  created  strong  suspicions,  in  the  minds  of  many,  that  he 
was  murdered  by  persons  unknown,  Mr.  Anderton  informed  the 
gentleman  before  alluded  to,  of  the  Belfast  Murder,  of  which  he 
was  an  eye  witness;  and  that  he  was  ready  and  desirous  of  making 
an  affidavit  to  the  same.  He  also  stated  in  a  public  meeting,  at 
Merchants'  Hall  soon  after,  the  substance  of  his  narrative.  Inquir- 
ies were  made,  and  a  committee  raised  immediately,  to  investigate 
his  character  for  truth  and  veracity.  His  uniform  character  was 
that  of  a  frank,  openhearted,  honest  seaman.  No  one  could  be 
found,  who  ever  doubted  his  word,  or  ever  beard  his  character  for 
Irath  and  veracity  called  in  qiiostioa.  His  deposition,  dated  on  tr*^ 
15th  of  March,  and  several  reports  on  his  character,  and  the  evi- 
dence  that  has  since  appeared  in  support  of  his  testimoRy,  are 
before  the  public. 

2 


^  MASSA<iHUSETT«   ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

Mr.  Anderton  has  fared  as  other seceders  havedone,  "  who  have 
gone  the  way  before  him."  Every  attempt  has  been  made  to' 
weaken  and  destroy  the  credibility  of  his  testimony.  But  in  this 
respect,  all  the  efforts  of  the  Fraternity,  hitherto,  have  only  tended 
to  strengthen  and  confirm  the  truth  of  his  statement.  Many  facts 
yet  remain  to  be  brought  out  respecting  that  horrid  transaction. 
Several  witnesses  are  known,  but  the  fear  of  masonic  vengeance 
from  the  brotherhood,  prevents  them;  as  yet,  from  giving  their 
testimony.  At  present,  your  Committee  consider  it  proved  beyond 
a  reasonable  doubt,  that  William  Miller,  of  Belfast,  Ireland^  was 
MURDERED  in  a  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of  Freemasons,  as  sworn  to  by 
Mr.  Samuel  G.  Anderton:  that  his  ^^  dead  body''''  was  seen  "on 
Lime  Kiln  Dock,  the  next  day,  by  a  concourse  of  spectators,"  as 
sworn  to  by  Mrs.  Agnes  Bell,  who  says  she  "  touched  it  with  her 
foot:''''  that  the  testimony  of  these  two  credible,  and  eye  witnesses, 
has  been  corroborated  by  the  statements  made  by  eight  or  ten 
other  persons  now  in  the  United  States,  but  then  in  Ireland, — and 
that  no  witness  has  yet  appeared  to  disprove  any  part  of  this  tes- 
timony. Masons  at  Belfast  have  denied  it,  so  far  as  they  were  con- 
cerned. But  their  statement  will  be  found,  on  close  examination, 
to  be  a  quibble  upon  words,  and,  in  several  important  points,  con- 
firmatory of  Anderton's  testimony.* 

At  the  April  and  May  elections  for  1830,  Antimasonry  in  Massa- 
chusetts again  appeared  at  the  polls.  In  the  Senate,  composed  of 
forty  members,  were  tiIree  Antimasons,  and  from  twenty  to  twenty- 
five  members  in  the  House,  out  of  four  hundred  and  fifty-one.  The 
meritorious  services  of  these  patriots  are  remembered.  But  the 
conspicuous  part  taken,  the  eminent  talents  displayed,  and  the  pow- 
erful effect  produced  by  one  reverend  and  honorable  gentleman  in 
the  Senate,  cannot  he  forgotten.  His  name  need  not  be  mentioned, 
for  it  is  engraven  on  our  hearts,  and  is  destined  to  live  in  the  his- 
tory of  our  country.  He  has  led  the  forlorn  hope  of  Antimasonry 
in  Massachusetts,  and  gone  up  over  his  enemies  in  triumph.  He 
has  poured  destruction  along  the  ranks  of  the  Fraternity,  marshalled 
for  his  overthrow,  and  put  them  to  flight.  He  has  destroyed  the 
bonds  of  their  obligations,  and  freed  many  from  their  allegiance  to- 
masonic  tyranny.  In  proportion  to  his  eminent  services,  have  all 
the  formidable  engines  of  falsehood  and  slander  been  brought  out 
against  him.  But  the  blamelessness  of  his  life,  and  the  purity  of 
his  character  have  been  his  protection.  He  has  the  honour  of  first 
moving  in  the  Senate  "  a  Prohibition  of  Extra  Judicial  Oaths," 
of  maintaining  his  ground  ;  of  overwhelming  the  champion  of  the 
order,  and  of  fearlessly  vindicating  the  liberties  of  his  country. 

The  part  taken  by  Samuel  French,  Esq.,  of  Berkley,  in  the 
House,  was  highly  honourable,  and  has  been  duly  appreciated  by 
the  intelligent  citizens  of  the  County  of  Bristol,  in  their  late  elec- 
tions to  the  Senate. 

And  the  honour  of  stripping  the  Monster,  Freemasonry,  of  its 
false  guises,  when  introduced  to  the  House,  by  the  Grand  Lodge, 
is  justly  due  to  those  talented  gentlemen,  Messrs.  Lazell  and  Brig- 
htim.  -Like  giants,  they  spared  not  till  its  naked  deformity  was 
disclosed. 

*  See  the  last  ab)«  report  of  lh«  Boston  Inveotigating  Committee  on  this  subject. 


^USSACHt^SETTS   ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  11 

In  compliance  with  a  Resolve  of  the  last  Antimasonic  Conven- 
"tion  of  Massachusetts,  the  State  Committee  transmitted  the  follow- 
ing documents  to  the  Grand  Council,  the  Grand  Encampment  of 
Knights  Templars,  the  Grand  Chapter  and  Grand  Lodge  of  this 
Commonwealth.  The  following  was  addressed  to  the  Grand  En- 
campment: 

Boston^  June  \st^  1830. 
''  Gentlemen, — By  a  Resolve,  passed  by  the  Antimasonic  Conven- 
tion of  Massachusetts  at  Faneuil  Hall,  on  the  1st  of  January  last, 
the  undersigned  Committee  were  directed  respectfully  to  lay  before 
you  the  following  Resolutions  of  that  body.  The  performance  of 
this  duty  has  hitherto  been  deferred  from  a  belief  that  the  present 
month  of  June  would  afford  the  most  convenient  opportunity  for 
the  several  Grand  Fraternities  to  consider  and  act  upon  these  Re- 
solves. The  Grand  Encampment  of  Massachusetts,  &c.,  is  to  assem- 
ble, for  the  first  time,  as  is  understood,  since  the  Convention.  Reg- 
ular communications  are  to  be  held,  and  a  general  attendance  of 
gentlemen  expected.  If,  under  these  circumstances,  the  Grand 
Encampment  should,  in  their  wisdom,  return  an  answer  which 
should  tend  to  allay  public  excitement  in  this  Commonwealth,  it 
would,  no  doubt,  be  duly  appreciated  by  the  Convention. 

With  a  high  respect  for  many  members  of  the   Grand  Encamp- 
ment, as  individual  gentlemen,  and  with  no  personal  feelings  against 
any  one,  the  Committee  beg  leave  to  subscribe  themselves 
Your  most  obedient  servants, 
Abner  Phelps,  Daniel  Weld, 

John  D.  Williams,  Henry  Gassktt, 

George  Odiorne,  John  P.  Whit  well, 

Benjamin  W.  Lamb,  Jonathan  French, 

William  Marston,  Thomas  Walley. 

Isaac  Porter,  Assistant  Secretary. 

''  In  Convention,  at  Faneuil  Hall,  Boston,  January  1st,  1830,  the 
following  Resolutions  were  adopted. 

Resolved.,  That  all  Societies  should  be  open  and  amenable  to  the 
public,  and  that  the  existence  of  any  Association,  whose  objects, 
principles,  and  measures  are  secret  and  concealed,  is  hostile  to  the 
spirit  of  our  free  Institutions. 

Resolved.,  That  the  disclosures  of  Freemasonry  made  by  William 
Morgan,  by  the  Le  Roy  Convention,  and  by  Elder  Bernard,  and 
others,  show  the  system  to  be  selfish,  revengeful,  and  impious,  and 
its  oaths  to  be  dangerous  to  our  private  rights  and  our  public 
interests. 

Resolved.,  That  there  is  evidence  before  this  Convention  that 
Royal  Arch  Freemasons,  impelled  by  a  sense  of  their  Masonic  obli- 
gations, have  robbed  their  country  of  the  services  of  a  free  citizen, 
that  the  Institution  retains  within  its  bosom  the  men  who  have 
done  this  violence,  and  that  the  Grand  Lodge  of  New  York  has 
contributed  of  its  funds  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  same,  and  that 
Chapters  and  subordinate  Lodges  have  also  appropriated  liberally 
of  their  goods  to  support  the  perpetrators  of  kidnapping  and 
alleged  murder. 


12  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASOmc    CONVENTIOIf, 

Resolved,  That  the  system  is  one  and  indivisible,  whether  con- 
sisting of  three  degrees  or  fifty,  that  it  is  erected  on  the  same  foun- 
dation, constructed  in  the  same  form,  inhabited  by  the  same  spirit, 
and  governed  by  the  same  laws ;  that  the  acts  of  exalted  Free- 
masons, and  of  Lodges  and  Chapters  in  one  State,  are  the  respon- 
sible acts  of  the  whole  system  in  the  United  States,  and  that  it  is 
proper  to  make  Freemasonry  answer  for  the  conduct  of  its  consti- 
tuted authorities  wherever  they  are  situated. 

Resolved^  That  in  view  of  the  premises,  we  respectfully  request 
the  Grand  Fraternities  of  Freemasons  m  the  State  of  Massachu- 
setts, to  disfetlowship  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  Grand  Chapter,  and  the 
Grand  Encampment  of  the  State  of  New  York,  which  hold  in  their 
masonic  embrace  the  perpetrators  of  the  violence  upon  William 
Morgan,  and  either  to  deny  the  truth  of  the  above  named  disclo- 
gures,  or  to  renounce  the  system,  and  the  oaths  of  Freemasonry, 
which  have  been  palmed  upon  the  honest  Freemasons  of  the 
present  generation,  as  the  favourite  work  of  the  wise  king  Solomon, 
and  of  their  tutelar,  St.  John. 

Resolved^  That  the  Antimasonic  State  Committee  be  directed  to 
furnish  each  one  of  the  Grand  Officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  the 
Grand  Chapter,  and  the  Grand  Encampment,  and  the  Grand  Council 
of  the  Freemasons  in  this  State  with  a  copy  of  these  Resolutions, 
particularly  urging  this  our  earnest  request,  and  that  when  this 
Convention  adjourns,  it  be  to  some  day  convenient  to  receive  their 
answer,  in  the  hope  that  the  wisdom  of  their  reply  will  relieve  the 
public  mind  of  any  anxiety  respecting  the  Institution  of  Speculative 
Freemasonry. 

Resolved^  That  in  the  opinion  of  this  Convention,  the  oaths  im- 
posed by  Freemasonry  are,  in  a  very  high  degree,  profane,  and 
entirely  destitute  of  any  moral  obligation,  or  legal  binding  force." 

The  above  was  enclosed  in  the  following  letter  to  the  Encamp- 
ment: 

Boston,  June  2,  1 830. 
John  J.  Loring,  Esq.,  Grand  Commander  of  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island. 

Sir, — I  am  directed  by  the  ; Committee  within  named,  to  request 
you  to  lay  the  enclosed  communications  before  the  Grand  Encamp- 
ment of  Knights  Templars  of  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island,  at 
their  next  meeting,  over  whom  you  have  the  honour  to  preside, 
for  their  deliberation,  and  respectful  consideration. 

In  the  performance  of  this  duty,  be  pleased  to  allow  me  to  assure 
you,  With  the  highest  respect, 

That  I  am  your  most  obedient  servant, 

ISAAC  PORTER, 
Assistant  Secretary  ofthe  Antimasonic 

State  Committee  of  Massachusetts. 

After  the  meeting  of  Knights  Templars,  these  documents  were 
returned  through  the  medium  of  the  Post  Office,  without  note  or 
comment.  Other  similar  communications,  of  the  same  date,  were 
addressed,  with  appropriate  titles,  to  Abraham  A,  Dame,  and  Joseph 


MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  13 

Jenkins,  of  this  city,  and  to  Samuel  Clark,  of  Princeton.  But  from 
neither  of  these  has  any  answer  been  received.  The  public  will, 
no  doubt,  inquire,  and  determine,  the  true  cause  of  tfiis  silence,  on 
the  part  of  the  whole  Fraternity  of  Freemasons  in  Massachusetts. 
The  charges  of  kidnapping  and  murder  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
by  Freemasons,  in  conformity  to  masonic  law,  and  in  obedience  to 
masonic  government,  have  been  legally  substantiated.  That  same 
government  and  that  same  law,  extends  over  this  Commonwealth, 
with  equal  authority,  and  equal  binding  force.  It  is  Freemasonry, 
here  and  every  where  the  same.  Under  these  circumstances,  is^ho  in 
in  Massachusetts  was  not  liable  every  hour,  by  night  or  bj'  day,  to 
have  a  father,  a  brother,  a  friend,  a  connection,  or  a  neighbour, 
kidnapped  and  murdered?  No  one  was  safe!  The  people  became 
alarmed.  Various  meetings  were  called,  and  Delegates  assembled 
to  deliberate.  They  unanimously  and  respectfully  laid  before  the 
authorities  of  the  masonic  order,  the  cause  of  their  complaint. 
They  spoke  by  their  Committee,  in  the  name  of  the  people,  and 
respectfully  requested  the  Fraternities  of  Massachusetts,  in  sub- 
stance, to  disfellowship  masonic  kidnappers  and  murderers,  dis- 
prove the  disclosures,  or  renounce  the  system  and  oaths  of 
Freemasonry.  The  objects  of  that  request  were  honestly  to  ascer- 
tain THE  truth,  and  THE  WHOLE  TRUTH,  whether  the  people  of  Mas- 
sachusetts were  safe  from  violence  and  outrage  :  whether  the  ma- 
sonic government,  its  officers,  and  through  them,  the  great  body  of 
adhering  Freemasons  in  this  Commonwealth,  approved  or  disap- 
proved of  the  outrages  in  the  State  of  New  York.  There,  Freema- 
sons had  been  proved  guilty  of  kidnapping  and  murder,  of  arson 
and  perjury,  of  obstructing  the  course  of  justice,  and  of  screening 
the  guilty  from  punishment ;  and  here,  in  Massachusetts,  no  objec- 
tion is  made  to  it,  no  murmurs  are  heard  from  the  brotherhood  ! 
They  acquiesce  with  fraternal  feelings,  continue  fellowship  with 
the  guilty ;  greet  them  as  brothers,  ''good  men  and  true,  worthy 
and  well  qualified  ;"  sympathize  with  "  the  Western  Sufferers ;" 
hold  themselves  bound  "  to  conceal  and  never  reveal ;"  "  to  fly  to 
their  assistance ;"  "  to  extricate  them  from  difficulty,  right  or 
wrong,  murder  and  treason  not  excepted ;"  suppress  the  truth  ; 
labour  to  muzzle  the  press;  pour  contempt  and  ridicule  on  the 
men,  who  honestly  inquire  into  these  transactions;  create  disturb- 
ance and  riot,  to  prevent  the  people  from  hearing  information  ;  and 
when  respectfully  questioned,  they  are  silent,  and  give  you  no 
answer.  But  "  Grand  Master'^''  Joseph  Jenkins,  in  his  address  to 
the  Grand  Lodge,  says,  "  If  our  Institution  is  ever  to  be  abolished, 
it  must  be  done  by  ourselves ;  none  else  are  able  to  do  it,  and  cer- 
tainly none  else  are  competent  to  decide  whether  it  should  be 
abolished  or  not.  Therefore,"  he  says,  ''I  would  advise  these 
volunteers  in  the  crusade  against  us,  to  give  up  the  work  of  super- 
erogating,  [supererogation,]  and  leave  Masons  to  manage  their 
own  affairs  in  their  own  way."  [! ! !]  Very  modest !  "  Volunteer 
Hidvice  y"  And  it  remains  to  be  seen,  how  far  the  people  of  this 
country  will  follow  it,  since  they  have  discovered  how  "  Masons 
manage  their  affairs,"  when  they  do  it ''  in  their  own  tioayP 


14  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONV'ENTTOK. 

In  proof  that  Freemasons  in  this  State  have  no  intention  to  re- 
linquish their  Institution,  one  fact  may  be  stated.  At  their  meeting 
m  June,  or  soon  after  the  Grand  Lodg-e  received  the  communica- 
tions of  your  Committee,  they  voted  to  erect  a  building  estimated 
to  cost  ^40>,000,  in  this  city,  for  their  accommodation.  The  corner 
stone  was  laid,  with  a  well  kno^\n  falsehood  engraved  on  the  plate, 
on  the  14th  of  October  last,  and  the  building  is  now  in  a  state  of 
forwardness.  The  masonic  procession,  on  that  occasion,  did  not 
much  if  any  exceed  900,  as  counted  by  some  of  your  Committee,  and 
other  persons.  But  the  number  published  in  the  Masonic  Mirror 
was  2267.  Other  very  exaggerated  accounts,  as  to  the  number  of 
persons  in  the  procession,  appeared  in  other  papers.  In  proof  of 
the  falsehood  engraved  on  the  plate,  your  Committee  beg  leave  to 
refer  to  their  published  correspondence  with  Governor  Lincoln 
and  the  honourable  Mayor  of  this  city. 

The  last  Fourth  of  July  was  very  happily  improved  by  a  number 
of  orators,  who  distinguished  themselves,  and  rendered  an  impor- 
tant service  to  the  cause  of  Antimasonry,  on  that  occasion.  A  con- 
tinuance of  this  practice  is  respectfully  recommended.  All  that 
appears  necessary  to  insure  a  complete  triumph  of  the  cause,  is  a 
general  diffusion  of  correct  information.  This  alone  has  been  the 
object  of  your  Committee.  The  exhibitions  of  Masonry  by  Mr. 
Avery  Allyn  have  been  highly  important.  His  valuable  publica- 
tion merits  the  patronage  of  the  public.  And  had  purity  of  char- 
acter, modest  and  unassuming  manners,  and  amiable  deportment, 
afforded  any  security  against  the  violence  and  abuse  of  the  order, 
Mr.  Allyn  would  have  escaped.  But  he  has  done  much,  and  suf- 
fered much  in  the  cause.  He  has  been  again  and  again  assailed  by 
masonic  mobs ;  twice  stabbed  by  the  masonic  dagger,  and  fifteen 
times  vexatiously  arrested  under  process  of  law,  from  masonic 
malice,  without  the  courage  of  once  bringing  him  to  trial.  Such 
4s  the  ample  testimony  of  adhering  Freemasons  themselves  in  favour 
of  the  correctness  of  Mr-  Allyn's  disclosures. 

Another  gentleman,  distinguished  in  the  cause,  whose  services 
in  disseminating  information  by  lectures,  but  whose  presence  on 
this  occasion  forbids  the  mention  of  his  name,  [Samuel  D.  Greene,] 
has  been  extensively  useful.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Lodge 
irom  which  Morgan  was  taken,  was  on  the  spot  at  the  time  when 
ihe  outrage  was  committed ;  gave  the  information  which  saved 
Col.  Miller ;  was  a  member  of  that  band  of  patriots,  the  Le  Roy 
Convention,  and  from  that  day  to  the  present,  has  been  zealously 
spreading  important  intelligence  upon  the  subject.  He  has  done 
much,  and  has  been  assailed  by  vindictive  malice  accordingly. 
But  his  character  and  his  statements  have  stood  the  test  of  critical 
investigation. 

"  The  right  of  the  people  peaceably  to  assemble,  consult  upon 
the  common  good,"  give  and  receive  information,  is  secured  in  our 
Bill  of  Rights,  and  is  one  of  the  most  sacred  privileges  of  freemen. 
It  is  the  right  of  free  discussion.  In  this  is  necessarily  included 
the  right  to  preserve  order  in  such  meetings.  The  right  to  assem- 
ble, without  the  right  to  preserve  order,  would  be  nugatory.  This 
right,  like  the  sun  in  the  heavens,  is  the  great  centre  in  the  system 


BtASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASOMC    CONVENTIOBT.  15 

of  freedom,  about  which  all  other  rights  revolve.  It  preserve?, 
regulates,  and  controls  the  whole.  The  very  existence  of  all 
our  free  institutions  depends  upon  its  salutary  influence.  And  that 
man^  who  would  deliberately  destroy  freedom  of  discussion,  or 
aid  and  abet  the  same,  must  necessarily  be  considered  an  en- 
emy to  the  liberties  of  his  country.  But  Freemasonry  has  openly 
and  publicly  attacked  this  all  iinporiant  right  of  the  people.,  by  vio- 
lence and  outrage.  It  has  endeavoured^  for  more  than  four  and  a 
half  years  past,  to  destroy  it.  When  (he  people  have  been  peace- 
ably assembled  in  various  States,  in  different  places  in  those  States, 
in  many  towns  wiih'mthis  Commonwealth.,  and  even  uiih.in  these  utalls^ 
for  the  great  PURrosE  oj"  discussing  subjects,  in  mhich  the  liberties 
OF  THEIR  COUNTRY,  and  all  they  held  dear  on  earth  xvere  deeply  inter- 
ested;  they  have  been  assailed,  either  by  vexatious  prosecutions, 
masonic  mobs,  riots,  noise,  or  confusion. 

The  first  engine  made  use  of  was  under  the  ostensible  form  of 
law.  All  the  first  public  exhibitors  of  Freemasonry  were  vexa- 
tiously  prosecuted.  The  system  was  uniform  in  ail  the  States. 
Warrants  were  issued  by  masonic  magistrates;,  and  served  by  ma- 
sonic sheriffs,  to  put  down  and  prevent  free  discussion.  No  law 
had  been  violated  but  the  laws  of  Freemasonry,  and  for  this  reason 
trials  were  very  seldom  had.  Witness  the  daring  violation  of  the 
rights  of  the  people  at  Lynn,  at  Fieading,  and  at  i\Iillbury,  where 
honest  Jacob  Allen  exhibited  ""  the  Charitable  Institution  /"  Mr. 
Allen  was  repeatedly  arrested  but  discharged  after  vexation  and 
expenses.  His  services  were  highly  beneficial  at  an  important 
period,  and  entitle  him  to  favour. 

The  next  attempt  of  the  order  to  destroy  the  right  of  free  dis- 
cussion was  to  disturb  public  meetings  by  noise  and  riots.,  or  to 
attack  them  by  masonic  mobs.  The  former  course  we  have  seen 
abandoned  simultaneously  all  over  our  country.  Two  masonic 
prosecutions  only  are  recollected  since  the  General  Communications 
of  the  Fraternities  in  June  last ;  and  those  in  places  where  little 
was  bel'ore  known  on  the  subject.  But  now  masonic  riots,  noise, 
mobs,  and  confusion,  are  the  orders  of  Freemasonry.  Your  Com- 
mittee are  forced  by  facts  to  this  conclusion.  The  well  known 
faces  of  Freemasons  seen  in  those  riots,  the  active  part  taken  by 
many  members  of  the  Fraternity  ;  their  sons,  connections,  and  de- 
pendants, the  open  declarations  made,  and  the  threatening  language 
used  by  them  on  those  occasions,  are  but  parts  of  the  evidence. 

"  Secrecy^''  and  "  obedience^''  are  required  by  the  oaths  of  Free- 
masonry. If  "  summoned'^''  ''  to  go  on  a  Mason's  errand,"  and  that 
errand  be  to  create  disturbance  in  a  public  meeting,  or  /om  in  a  riot, 
*'^  within  the  length  of  their  cable  tow,"  Masons  are  sworn,  under 
penalties  of  c?ea<A,  to  obey.  Under  these  circumstances,  your  Com^ 
niittee  respectfully  recommend  the  Inquiry,  How  far  Freemasons 
themselves,  who  still  adhere  to^their  blood  stained  Institution.,  ought  to 
be  held  responsible  for  riots,  where  Freemasonry  is  publicly  exhibited^ 
or  its  nature  and  principles  discussed. 

Can  it  be  supposed  that  these  mobs  and  riots,  this  noise  and  con- 
fusion, would  have  taken  place,  where  Freemasonry  was  the  sub- 
ject  under  consideration,  without  being  instigated  and  encouraged 


J^  MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASONIC   CONVENTION. 

by  zealous  members  high  in  the  government  of  the  order  ? 
Whence  this  sympathy  for  a  Secret  Society,  in  some  individuals, 
who  acknowledge  their  ignorance  of  its  nature  and  principles? 
Would  they,  uninjiuenced  by  the  Fraternity^  manifest  such  solicitude 
to  suppress  inquiry  into  a  secret  association  of  no  public  or  private 
utility  ?  Would  they  join  in  masonic  mobs^  expose  and  disgrace 
themselves  in  riots,  merely  to  prevent  an  honest  investigation  of 
the  truth  ?  Such  a  supposition  appears  contrary  in  its  nature  to  all 
those  known  principles  and  motives,  which  usually  govern  the  ac- 
tions of  mankind. 

But  Masons  express  great  confidence  In  the  permctnence  of  their 
order.  They  say,  "the  present  attempt  to  overthrow  it  will  utterly 
fail ;"  that,  "  it  will  only  rouse  the  energies  of  the  Institution,  and," 
that,  "  after  the  present  trial.  Freemasonry  will  increase  beyond 
all  former  example."  That  such  results  followed  the  disclosures 
of  Prichard,  in  1730;  of  Smith,  in  '62,  and  of  Robinson  and  Bar- 
ruel,  in  '97,  cannot  be  denied.  And  such,  no  doubt,  would  again 
be  the  result,  were  the  present  contest  conducted  in  the  same 
manner  as  at  each  of  those  periods.  Much  was  then  done  with  a 
view  to  destroy  the  Institution.  Books,  and  pamphlets,  and  even 
the  sacred  desk^  teemed  with  the  subject.  But  all  in  vain.  The 
Fraternity  then,  as  at  present,  relied  upon  the  same  weapons. 
Prichard  and  Smith  were  assassinated^  and  the  character  of  every 
man,  who  presumed  to  question  the  nature  and  principles  of  Free- 
masonry, was  visited  with  the  grossest  calumny  and  falsehood. 
The  cry  was  raised  then,  as  at  present,  "  Let  Freemasonry  alone — 
it  is  all  published :  it  will  die  of  itself  You  are  going  too  fast : 
don't  take  it  to  the  polls."  Unfortunately  for  mankind,  these  mis- 
taken sentiments,  uttered  from  pure  motives,  but  with  little  knowl- 
edge upon  the  subject,  and  less  reflection,  prevailed.  The  time 
of  trial  to  the  Fraternity  was  short ;  the  excitement  passed  over  ; 
Masonry  revived;  its  initiates  increased.  They  went  up  over  all 
countries,  "like  the  pestilence  which  walketh  in  darkness,  and  the 
destruction  that  wasteth  at  noonday." 

The  NECESSITY  of  taking  this  subject  to  the  Ballot  Box,  nf  car- 
rying  it  into  all-  our  elections  and  appointments  has  thus  been  three 
iimes  j^roved  by  experience.  What  then  are  we  to  expect  from  such 
a  course  ?  At  the  Polls  Freemasonry  may  be  met  in  all  its  Protean 
shapes.  Like  an  arrant  impostor,  it  always  assumes  some  other 
name  than  its  own.  All  its  false  pretensions  may  there  be  stripped 
off.  Its  nature,  principles,  and  oaths  will  be  discussed  at  every 
election^  and  thus  the  real  character  of  the  Institution  will  be  hung 
up  to  be  gazed^  at  and  abhorred.,  from  generation  to  generation.  And 
who  can  justly  complain  of  such  a  measure  ?  It  is  a  peaceable, 
legal,  and  constitutional  mode  of  resistance.  •  Aiid  there  is  cause  for 
resistance.  The  Laws  of  our  Country  have  been  violated  and  set 
aside  ;  Justice  has  been  trampled  under  foot ;  and  the  Government 
itself  has  been  chained  as  a  Captive  iothe  Ca?.  o/*Mason?.y  '  Ylho 
but  a  slave,  a  poltroon,  or  a  traitor,  is  ready  to  exchange 
the  government  and  laws  of  this  country  for  the  odious  and 
secret  despotism,  and  laws  of  Freemasonry  ?  If  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternity, who  have  done  it,  and  sworn  allegiance  to  the  Masonic 


MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  VJ 

Empire,  it  is  no  reason  why  the  rest  of  tlie  people  should  not  re- 
sist. If  adhering  Freemasons  choose  to  support  the  Government 
and  Laws  of  the  Masonic  Empire  in  opposition  to  the  Laws  and 
Government  of  these  States,  ihey  can  surely  have  no  just  reason 
to  cry  '"''persecution^^  and  ^^ proscription^''^  if  the  people  withhold 
their  suffrages  from  them,  unlil  they  abjure  masonic  allegiance 
and  return  to  their  allegiance  to  the  Republic.  The  horrid  crimes 
committed  by  the  Fraternity,  in  obedience  to  their  oaths  and  obli- 
gations, are  still  unavenged.  In  vain  have  the  people  applied  for 
justice.  Again  and  again  have  they  solicited  the  courts  of  law  for 
near  five  years  for  relief  In  vain  have  they  reasoned  with  ma- 
sonic magistrates  and  officers,  and  urged  them  to  perform  those 
civil  duties  intrusted  them  by  the  people.  But  they  have  refused 
or  neglected  to  perform  those  duties.  They  have  acted  no  further 
than  Masonry  is  concerned,  and  only  for  the  benefit  of  the  Craft. 

Where,  then,  the  injustice  of  refusing  to  vote  for  such  men,  even 
if  they  were  not  Masons?  But  the  power  of  suffrage  is  sovereign, 
and  belongs  to  the  people.  No  man  can  justly  claim  it  as  a  right. 
Wherever  suffrages  can  be  claimed  as  a  right,  or  controlled  by  a 
secret  society,  the  people  are  not  free. 

The  cause  we  espouse  has  been  driven  by  necessity  to  the  Bal- 
lot Box.  It  is  an  open  appeal  to  Public  Oplmon,  tor  redress  of 
wrongs  the  most  aggravated,  after  all  other  means  have  been  ex- 
hausted in  vain,  short  of ''''the  last  resort  of  injured  7iations.^^  Anli- 
masons  have  not  taken  this  course  ''  without  counting  the  cost." 
They  are  aware  the  contest  may  be  long ;  that  it  may  continue 
during  the  present  century  and  the  next.  But. even  this  circum- 
stance alone  is  sure  to  accomplish  the  destruction  of  Freemasonry. 
Already  the  number  of  new  initiates  to  the  lodges  "  have  become 
very  seldom  and  far  between."  Like  an  army  surrounded  and  cut 
off  from  all  recruits,  the  number  of  Masons  must  necessarily  dimin- 
ish, so  long  as  the  present  contest  continues.  A  great  National 
Party,  opposed  to  all  Secret  Societies,  and  founded  on  the  pure, 
patriotic  principles  of  Antimasonry,  will  be  very  likely  to  outlive 
the  last  Masonic  adherent.  Antimasonry  never  tires.  Invigorated 
at  the  Ballot  Box,  at  every  election,  it  will  become  immortal. 
It  invites  public  discussion,  while  Masonry  shrinks  back  with  guilt 
and  shame  Irom  investigation.  Success  or  defeat  at  an  election  on 
our  side,  is  equally  sure  to  add  to  our  numbers.  Truth,  patriot- 
ism, and  all  those  sacred  principles  of  virtue,  ''  which  hold  the 
elements  of  the  moral  world  together,"  are  on  our  side ;  while 
crimes  of  blood,  falsehood,  and  deception,  without  any  thing  to 
save,  are  on  the  other. 

Antimasonry  has  no  use  for  any  office  seeking,  selfish^  time  serv- 
ing politician.  An  Antimason  by  profession  merely  to  obtain  votes  ; 
but  a  Mason  afterward  in  practice.  No  use  for  "  three,  six  months, 
or  three  years  men  :"  but  for  men  engaged  for  life,  '"'  and  their 
households  after  them.^^  Men  who  will  make  no  truce  or  comprom- 
ise with  any  men — Clay  men,  Jackson  men,  Working  men,  Young 
men,  or  any  other  party,  or  set  of  men,  while  they  support  adher- 
ing Freemasons^  iherv  cAf.'ers  or  ahe'ioTs — and  who  are  determined  to 


tS  Massachusetts  antI'masoni'c  convfjitiok. 

*'  sink  or  swim^  live  or  die^  survive  or  perish^'''  to  free  our  degraded 
country — our  insulted  government  and  laws,  from  the  dominion^, 
influence,  and  slavery  of  Fkee-aiasgnry. 

But  the  confidence  of  Masons  in  the  permanence  of  their  Institu- 
tion,  is  founded  more  especially,  in  the  organization  and  extent  of 
the  order.  Freemasonry,  as  a  whole,  constitutes  a  separate,  inde- 
pendenf^  strongly  organized  government  of  itself.  It  extends  over 
all  countries;  each  nation  is  a  provlnce,  </7iri  the  whole  is  termed^ 
''TUE  HOLY  EMPIRE!!  Well  may  such  a  discovery  excite 
astonishment  and  alarm  !  Secret  in  its  operations,  as  if  situated  in 
the  vast  cavity  of  the  globe,  its  subjects  are  in  all  places  of  busi- 
ness, in  many  places  of  trust,  in  most  places  of  power.  It  has  in 
a  great  measure  secured  the  Press  :  and  that  mighty  engine, 
instead  of  being  directed  against  Freemasonry  and  its  crimes,  has 
either  tamely  acquiesced,  or  been  directed  against  the  rights  and 
liberties  of  mankind.  This  empire  was  established  by  the  cele- 
brated Frederick,  King  of  Prussia,  or  by  his  intidel  associates. 
Frederick  was  tlie  first  "  Most  Sublime  Thrice  Puissant  Sovereign 
OF  Sovereigns."  Or  by  others,  '"'  Thrice  Puissant  Sovereign 
Grand  Master."  The  organization  of  "  The  Holy  Empire"  is  one 
of  the  most  curions  in  Masonry.  Each  nation  we  have  »rvid  is  a 
province,  and  is  governed  by  Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  General^ 
whose  number,  according  to  Bernard,  and  other  writers,  may  not 
exceed  nine.  They  are  appointed  for  life,  with  power  to  apporat 
their  successors,  and  are  the  Sovereigns  of  Masonry. 

It  appears  on  masonic  authority,  that  the  Grand  Consistory  of 
Sublime  Princes  of  the  Royal  Secret,  were  convened  at  Paris  on 
the  27th  of  August,  1761.  At  that  Grand  and  Supreme  Council  of 
the  Most  Puissant  Sovereigns,  the  King  of  Prussia  presided  by  his 
deputy,  Chaillon  de  Johnville.  That  august  body  gave  high  pow- 
ers to  Stephen  Moren,  who  appointed  Henry  Andrews  Franken 
*'  Deputy  Grand  Inspector  Geneilil,  Knight  of  Kadosh,  &c.  &,c. 
over  all  Lodges  in  the  New  World."  Franken  appointed  Mosea 
Michael  Flays,  a  well  known  Jew,  who  for  a  number  of  years  re- 
sided in  Boston,  and  was  several  times  elected  Grand  Master  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts. 

By  the  term  ''  deputy^'''  it  would  seem  the  highest  powers  of 
Masonry  in  this  country,  are  under  the  jurisdiction  of  foreign 
powers,  the  same  as  a  Lodge  in  Demerara  is  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Massachusetts.  [See  Major  Russell's 
affidavit.] 

Doct.  Isaac  Auld,  in  1825,  was  Sovereign  Grand  Commander  of 
the  Supreme  Council  of  Sovereign  Grand  Inspectors  General  of  the 
United  States  of  America.  Frederick  Dalcho,  Past  Grand  Com- 
mander ;  Moses  C.  Levy,  Treasurer  General  of  ''The  Holy  Em- 
pire." 

Your  Committee  allude  to  these  facts,  that  the  whole  subject 
and  extent  of  Freemasonry  may  be  brought  into  view.  They  feel 
unable  to  express  their  astonishment  and  alarm,  that  100,000  men. 
within  these  United  States,  tOOO  of  them  in  this  Commonwealth, 
should  be  found,  who  have  secretly  sworn   allegiance  to   this  Ma* 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMaSONIC    CONVENTION.  19 

«onic  Empire !  Do  these  men,  whd  still  adhere,  consider  their 
masonic  oaths  paramount  to  all  other  oaths,  masonic  laws  para- 
mount to  all  other  laws,  and  obligations  to  Freemasonry  above 
their  obligations  to  their  country  ?  Many,  no  doubt,  entertain 
those  mistaken  sentiments.  Infatuated  men  !  They  are  objects  of 
our  compassionate  sympathies.  They  have  been  brought  so  sud- 
denly from  darkness  to  the  strong  light  that  now  beams  upon  Ma- 
sonry, that  no  wonder  they  are  unable  to  endure  it.  But  is  this  a 
cause  of  anger  or  resentment?  Far  otherwise.  Let  us  comfort 
them — not  vciih  o^ce  till  they  can  see — but  encourage  them 
that  they  will  see.  Tell  them  what  others  see.  Administer  the 
light  to  them  as  they  are  able  to  bear  it,  and  all  will  be  well.  The 
sole  objects  of  Antimasons  will  be  achieved.  The  Masonic  Insti- 
tution will  be  destroyed,  liberty  will  be  preserved,  and  Freema- 
sons as  men  and  good  citizens  brought  back  to  their  country. 

Your  Committee  beg  leave  to  congratulate  this  Convention  upon 
the  cheering  prospects  before  them.  The  good  cause  is  progress- 
ing over  our  whole  country.  The  doings  of  the  National  Conven- 
tion at  Philadelphin,  in  September  last,  have  had  a  favourable 
influence.  The  number  of  Antimasonic  votes  has  increased  at  the 
rate  of  near  twofold  every  twelve  months,  a  gain  honourable  to 
the  people  of  these  States^  and  believed  to  be  unparalleled  in  the 
history  of  national  parlies.  But  this  ratio  of  increase  cannot  be  much 
longer  expected  on  account  of  the  Inrge  and  respectable  numbers  of 
Antimasons  now  in  the  United  States.  Should  the  number  of  their 
votes  amount  to  500,000  the  present  year,  [1831,]  it  ought,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  undersigned,  to  equal  every  reasonable  expectation. 

But  a  knowledge  of  the  abominations  of  Freemasonry  is  not 
confined  to  this  Union.  It  is  spreading  over  the  American  Conti- 
nent. To  the  North  and  the  East,  the  British  Provinces  are 
awaking  to  the  subject.  In  a  number  of  places  already,  elections 
have  been  carried  on  Antimasonic  principles.  And  among  our 
sister  Republics  at  the  South,  and  even  in  Old  Spain  itself,  a 
Spanish  edition  of  Morgan  has  been  circulated  and  eagerly  sought 
for.  Antimasonic  publications  have  been  taken  to  various  parts  of 
Europe,  and  even  to  Asia,  many  times  by  foreigners,  sometimes  by 
Masons,  and  in  one  instance,  as  your  Committee  have  been  cred- 
ibly informed,  twenty  seven  numbers  of  the  ""Boston  Free  Press" 
were  obtained  by  an  Englishman  and  sold  at  Liverpool  for  one 
dollar  each.  These  facts  are  mentioned  merely  to  shew  that 
the  cause  we  advocate  is  spreading  over  the  whole  Empire  of 
Masonry. 

Your  Committee  beg  leave,  in  conclusion,  to  express  the  deep 
sense  of  obligation  they  feel  themselves  under  to  the  several  Coun- 
ty, Town,  Ward  and  District  Committees,  who  have  assisted  them, 
and  especially  to  those  private  seceders^  who  have  daringly  volun- 
tered,  at  so  much  risk  and  sacritice,  to  remain /or  a  most  important 
and  patriotic  purpose. 

Information  is  loudly  called  for.  And  there  is  every  encourage- 
ment that  perseverance,  steadiness,  moderation,  but  firmness,  under 
the  blessing  of  that  Almighty  Being,  who  watched  over  our  fathers 


go  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

in  the  days  of  their  tribulation,. will  save  our  liberties,  secure 
equal  privileges  to  the  people  of  these  States, — the  only  object  of 
all  our  toils,  sufferings,  and  dangers. 

ABNER  PHELPS, 
GEORGE  ODIORNE, 
JOHN  D.  WILLIAMS, 
WILLIAM  MARSTON, 
JACOB  HALL, 
THOMAS  WALLEY, 
BENJ.  W.  LAMB, 
HENRY  GASSETT, 
DANIEL  WELD, 
BENJ.  V.  FRENCH, 
JNO.  P.  WHITWELL. 


Ordered  to  lie  on  the  table. 

Voted,   That  the  Committee  on  rules  and   regulations  present 
their  report.     Whereupon  it  vi^as  presented  and  adopted. 
That  this  Convention  now  adjourn,  till  3  o'clock,  P.  M. 


Thursday  Afternoon,  3  o'clock. 

Convention  met  according  to  adjournment. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Goffe,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  that  gentleman,  together  with  Messrs.  White, 
Colburn,  Sanborn,  and  Farnsworth,  be  a  committee  to  inquire 
whether  intelligent  Christians  or  churches  can  knowingly  fellow- 
ship with  Freemasonry,  or  its  adhering  members,  without  becoming 
accessaries  after  the  fact ;  thus  pnrticipating  in  the  horrid  crimes 
of  which  the  Masonic  Institution  is  proved  guilty— which  was  com- 
mitted. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Gibson,  of  Suffolk,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Gibson,  of  Suffolk,  Churchill  of  Norfolk, 
Chaplin,  of  Middlesex,  Hobart,  of  Worcester,  and  Hardy,  of  Mid- 
dlesex, be  a  Committee  to  take  into  consideration  the  state  of  the 
public  press,  and  report  thereon  to  this  Convention. 

Voted,  That  all  Committees  appointed  hereafter  in  this  Conven- 
tion consist  of  live  members. 

Voted,  That  the  rules  and  regulations  of  thi?;  Convention  be  read 
from  the  Chair. 

Voted,  That  it  be  a  standing  rule  of  this  Convention  that  Com- 
mittees have  leave  to  retire  and  consult  on  the  business  allotted 
them  without  a  formal  order  therefor. 

On  motion  of  the  Hon.  John  Bailey,  of  Norfolk,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  Messrs,  Bailey,  of  Norfolk,  Reed,  of  Bristol, 
Clark,  of  Middlesex,  Odiorne,  of  Suffolk,  and  Lazell,  of  Plymouth, 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONTC    CONVEINTIO4V.  2'1> 

be  a  Committee  to  consider  and  report  what  measures  are  proper 
to  be  recommended  to  the  people  of  this  Commonwealth,  to  guard 
the  equal  rights  of  its  citizens,  and  secure  the  faithful  administra- 
tion of  justice. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Walker,  it  was 

Resolved^  That  Messrs.  Walker,  of  Suffolk,  Barker,  of  Essex, 
Henry,  of  Worcester,  Starkweather,  of  Hampden,  and  Pierce,  of 
Suffolk,  be  a  Committee  to  take  into  consideration  the  correspond- 
ence of  the  State  Committee  with  the  Masonic  fraternities  in  this 
Commonwealth. 

Voted,  That  any  member  of  this  Convention  may  propose  the 
names  of  gentlemen  whom  he  may  wish  to  take  a  seat  in  this  Con- 
vention. 

Votcd^  That  Messrs.  Allen  Partridge,  of  Norfolk,  Avery  Allyn,  of 
New  York,  Abijah  Blanchard,  of  Suffolk,  Allen  Newhali,  of  Wor- 
cester, Jacob  Allen,  of  Braintree,  Ar.temas  Lane,  of  Monson,  and 
Mr.  Ransom,  of  Vermont,  take  seat^  in  this  Convention  as  honorary 
members. 

Messrs.  Jos.  W.  Bennett,  and  Jos.  A.  Flyde,  of  Bridge  water,  and 
Hiram  Manly,  of  Easton,  were  proposed  by  the  Committee  as 
honorary  members. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Bigelow,  of  Middlesex,  it  was 

Resolved^  That  !\Iessrs.  Bigelow,  Green,  of  Suffolk,  Buffum,  of 
Essex,  Carey,  of  Worcester,  and  Curtis,  of  Plymouth,  be  a  Commit- 
tee to  embody,  and  report  to  this  Convention,  what  facts  have  been 
disclosed  in  the  recent  trials  of  the  Morgan  conspirators  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  what  new  evidence  has  been  elicited  in  re- 
lation to  the  oaths  or  obligations  and  ceremonies  of  Freemasonry. 

On  the  motion  of  Gen.  Hoyt,  of  Franklin,  it  was 

Resolved^  That  a  Committee  of  one  from  each  of  the  Counties  of 
the  Commonwealth,  represented  in  this  Convention,  to  wit, — 
Messrs.  Hoyt,  of  Franklin,  French,  of  Suffolk,  Gardner,  of  Worces- 
ter, Webb,  of  Norfolk,  Durfee,  of  Bristol,  Yale,  of  Middlesex,  Sloan, 
of  Hampden,  Starkweather,  of  Hampshire,  Turner,  of  Plymouth, 
F.  S.  Newhall,  of  Essex,  be  appointed  to  nominate  Delegates  to 
attend  the  United  States  Antimasonic  Convention,  in  Baltimore,  on 
the  26th  day  of  September  next,  and  that  the  whole  number  nom- 
inated in  the  State  be  equal  to  the  number  of  Senators  and  Repre- 
sentatives in  both  houses  of  Congress  from  Massachusetts. 

On  motion, 

Voted,  That  all  reports  made  by  Committees  to  this  Convention, 
be  laid  on  the  table  for  consideration. 

The  Committee  on  the  Rev.  Mr.  Goffe's  resolution  made  a  re- 
port by  their  Chairman,  which  was  laid  on  the  table,  agreeable  to 
order. 

The  following  Report  was  read  to  the  Convention,  and  ordered 
to  lie  on  the  table.     By  a  subsequent  resolve  it  was  referred  to  the 


«t  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

Publishing  Committee,  to  be  disposed  of  as  they  should  deem  pro- 
per. The  Committee,  after  n  careful  examination,  believe  it  to  he 
a  valuable  document  and  deserving  of  extensive  circulation,  and 
therefore  publish  the  same,  with  the  doings  of  the  Convention, 
although  this  report  was  not  formally  adopted  by  that  body. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  this  Convention,  to  inquire, 
'  whether  inteliigent  Christians  or  churches  can  knowingly  fellow- 
ship Freemasonry,  or  its  adhering  members,  without  becoming  ac- 
cessaries, after  the  fact,  and  participating  in  the  horrid  crimes  of 
which  the  Masonic  Institution  is  now  proved  guilty  ;'  having  taken 
the  subject  into  their  serious  consideration,  ask  leave  to  submit  the 
following 

REPORT. 

Your  Committee  feel  themselves  fully  authorized  to  assume  it  as 
an  undeniable  fact^  that  the  recent  disclosures  which  have  been 
made  of  the  forms,  ceremonies,  principles,  oaths,  penalties,  and  ten- 
dencies of  Freemasonry,  are  correct.  It  is  now,  indeed,  much  too 
late  to  call  in  question,  or  even  to  c/om^/,  that  the  dark  mysteries  of 
the  Lodge  Room  are  laid  open  to  the  view  of  the  world.  This  has 
been  done  by  those  who  have  personally  explored  the  inmost  re- 
cesses of  the  mystic  temple,  and  even  worshipped  in  its  holiest 
places.  And  since  they  have  heen  laid  before  the  public  in  almost 
every  form,  attested  by  hundreds  and  thousands  of  credible  wit- 
nesses ;  by  judicial  records  ;  by  the  testimony  of  adhering  Masons, 
and  sealed  by  them  in  the  blood  of  Morgan  and  others,  no  candid 
man  need  be  ignorant,  and  no  intelligent  Christian  or  church  ought 
to  be  ignorant  of  them.  Ignorance  on  this  subject  is  highly  culpa- 
ble, and  nothing  but  the  madness  of-folly  can  deny  their  truth. 

On  the  ground,  then,  of  the  truth  of  these  disclosures,  your  com- 
mittee proceed  to  say,  that  they  are  totally  unable  to  discover  how 
any  understanding  Christian^  or  any  church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
organized  on  Gospel  principles,  actuated  by  a  Gospel  spirit,  and 
walking  by  Gospel  rules,  can,  consistently  with  their  duty,  hold  any 
fellowship  whatever  with  the  Masonic  Institution,  or  with  its  ad- 
hering members  and  supporters.  In  past  times,  when  the  nature 
and  operations  of  that  mystic  society  were  enveloped  in  darkness, 
and  its  deluded  members  trumpeted  its  praises  in  every  ear,  as  em- 
bracing every  thing  great  and  good,  as  a  scientific,  moral,  and  char- 
itable institution,  descended  from  heaven,  and  the  handmaid  of  re- 
ligion, if  not  religion  itself,  both  Christians  and  churches  had  some 
excuse  for  passing  it  by  unnoticed.  But  now,  since  the  veil  of  se- 
crecy has  been  removed,  and  the  whole  arcana  of  the  Lodge-room, 
Chapter,  Council,  Consistory,  &c.,  with  all  their  follies  and  crimes, 
have  been  revealed  and  exposed  to  the  public  gaze,  the  plea  of  ig- 
norance can  no  longer  avail.  There  is  now  no  cloak  to  cover  their 
sins:  but  every  adherent  and  defender  of  that  unholy  cause,  shows 
himself  an  accomplice  in  all  the  guilt  and  atrocities  with  which  the 
Masonic  Institution  stands  justly  charged.  To  be  guilty  of  fraud, 
perjury,  murder,  arson,  or  any  other  crimes,  it  is  not  necessary  that 
a  person  actually  commit  those  crimes.  If  he  approve  oj"  and  jus- 
tify  them  when  committed  by  others,  and  hold  in  his  affections  and 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  23 

fellowship  the  perpetrators  of  them,  he  thereby  becomes  an  acces' 
sary  to  those  crimes,  if  not  in  a  legal,  yet  certainly  in  a  moral  and 
religious  view:  he  voluntarily  makes  himself  a  partaker  of  other 
men's  sins,  and  stands  justly  condemned  by  all  the  rules  of  morality, 
justice,  truth,  and  the  Christian  religion. 

This  we  are  not  unapprised  is  a  bold  assertion,  and  may  involve 
many  otherwise  respectable  men,  in  a  guilt  of  which,  perhaps,  they 
are  little  aware;  and  we  should  not  dare  thus  publicly  to  advance 
it,  were  we  not  convinced  of  being  sustained  by  the  plainest  dic- 
tates of  morality,  common  sense,  and  the  oracles  of  God.  If  he 
who  sees  a  thief  and  consenlcth  with  him,  is  considered  in  the  eyes 
of  the  omniscient  Judge,  as  guilty  of  theft,  shall  he  be  accounted 
innocent  who  countenances,  justifies,  and  conceals  the  most  atro- 
cious crimes?  Shall  he  be  considered  as  blameless  who  consents  to 
the  unlawful  shedding  of  human  blood?  Shall  he  be  uncondemned 
who  justifies  and  approves  of  other  men's  sins,  and  holds  fellow- 
ship with  those  who  he  knows  are  guilty  of  deeds  of  darkness,  of 
which  it  is  a  shame  to  speak?  By  no  means:  he  thereby  involves 
himself  in  the  same  guilt.  If  this  be  so,  what  an  accumulated  load 
of  guilt  beara^^'jjpon  the  whole  masonic  Institution,  and  upon  all 
those  Christians  and  churches  who  retain  in  their  fellowship,  and 
admit  to  their  communion,  the  obstinate  adherents  of  that  blood 
stained  order!  They  bring  upon  themselves  the  blood  of  Morgan 
and  all  those  martyrs  who  have  fallen  sacrifices  to  masonic  ven- 
geance, and  though,  by  deception  and  falsehood,  they  may  escape 
punishment  from  men,  yet  how  shall  they  escape  the  righteous 
judgment  of  God  ? 

Let  the  two  Institutions,  the  Church  and  Masonry,  be  compared 
and  contrasted  in  their  origin,  nature  and  spirit,  and  the  conviction,  it 
seems,  must  fasten  itself,  with  an  iron  grasp,  upon  the  understanding 
and  conscience  of  every  fair  minded  man,  that  there  ought  not,  and 
cannot  be  any  real  sympathy  or  harmony  between  them.  They 
are  directly  opposed  to  each  other  in  every  respect,  and  there  is 
no  common  principle  upon  which  they  can  meet  or  harmonize. 
They,  therefore,  who  attempt  to  blend  them,  (and  they  are  not  a 
few,)  and  make  them  the  same  or  kindred  Institutions,  and  the  one 
a  helper  or  handmaid  of  the  other, attempt  an  impossibility.  They 
might  as  well  mingle  light  with  darkness,  or  fire  with  water,  and 
make  them  the  same  or  kindred  elements. 

What  is  the  Church?  It  is  a  holy  society,  incorporated  by  the 
God  of  heaven,  sustained  by  his  power  and  grace  from  the  begin- 
ning of  the  world  to  the  present  time,  and  destined  to  flourish  for- 
ever in  the  world  of  glory.  It  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven  upon 
earth  ;  the  temple  of  the  living  God,  or  habitation  of  the  Spirit ; 
and  the  School  of  Christ,  in  which  immortal  souls,  by  spiritual  cul- 
ture, are  trained  up  and  prepared  for  their  heavenly  inheritance. 
The  church  is  the  pillar  and  grotind  of  the  truth;  the  salt  of  the 
earth;  the  light  of  the  world,  and  the  glory  of  Jehovah;  the  ful- 
ness of  him  that  filleth  all  in  all. 

On  the  other  hand, — What  is  Masonry  ?  It  is  an  earthborn  Insti- 
tution ;  self  created,  by  a  company  of  brick  layers  and  stone  cut- 
ters: formed  in  London,  June  24,   1717  :  upheld  by  terror— pro- 


24  MASSACHUSETI'S    AN'J'IMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

pagated  by  deception  ;  guarded  by  a  sword  ;  shrouded  in  darkness  ; 
covered  with  crimes;  stained  with  blood;  filled  with  blasphemies, 
and  breathing  forth  a  spirit  of  vengeance  and  destruction  against 
all  who  renounce  their  allegiance  to  this  mystery  of  abominations. 
Masonry,  in  its  whole  length  and  breadth,  is  as  Anti- Christian  as  it 
is  Anti-republican,  its  tendency  is  to  corrupt,  and,  ultimately,  to 
undermine  and  destroy  all  our  civil  and  religious  institutions,  and 
to  spread  infidelity,  despotism,  and  misery  through  the  earth. 

Such  being  the  nature  and  spirit  of  the  two  Institutions,  what 
fellowship  can  there  be  between  them  ?  They  are  diametrically 
opposed  to  each  other,  and  are  as  wide  asunder  as  heaven  and  the 
kingdom  of  darkness.  The  strong  and  pointed  interrogatories  of 
an  inspired  apostle  almost  fail  to  express  the  utter  impossibility  of 
any  companionship  between  them.  ^'  Be  not  unequally  yoked 
together  with  unbelievers;  for  what  fellowship  hath  righteousness 
with  unrighteousness?  and  what  communion  hath  light  with  dark- 
ness? and  what  concord  hath  Christ  with  Belial?  or  what  part 
hath  he  that  believeth  with  an  infidel  ?  and  what  agreement  hath 
the  temple  of  God  with  idols?" 

The  church  of  Christ  never  desired  or  sought  any^connection  or 
fellowship  with  Masonry.  It  is  a  kingdom  not  of  this  world  ;  pecu- 
liar in  its  nature,  spirit,  and  object:  high,  spiritual,  and  holy,  and 
therefore  cannot  be  mingled  with  the  institutions  of  men  without 
corrupting  its  principles^,  defiling  its  purity,  and  so  far  defeating  the 
sublime  and  glorious  designs  of  its  creation.  But  Masonry  has  de- 
sired, and  sought,  and  actually  obtained,  to  a  lamentable  extent, 
a  union  with  the  cliurch.  To  give  itself  a  sanctified  appearance 
in  the  view  of  the  world,  that  it  might  disarm  suspicion,  and  better 
attain  its  own  selfish  objects,  it  has  stolen  shreds  and  patches  from 
the  livery  of  Heaven,  to  hide  its  native  deformity,  and  thus  com- 
mend itself  to  the  friends  of  God  and  the  Redeemer.  To  accom- 
plish his  own  destructive  purposes  of  deception  and  ruin,  Satan 
can  easily  transform  himself  into  the  appearance  of  an  angel  of 
light,  and  even  present  himself  before  the  Lord^  and  among  his  faith- 
ful subjects  and  worshippers.  And.  under  the  same  delusive  ap- 
pearance, he  has  insinuated  himself  into  the  churches  of  Christ, 
and  seduced  many  of  his  disciples  and  followers  to  join  in  the  un- 
hallowed orgies  of  his  midnight  assemblies.  For  many  years  after 
the  origin  of  Masonry,  but  few  if  any  of  the  members  of  the  lodge 
were  found  in  the  churches  of  Christ.  The  Institution  was  then 
considered  as  connected  with  the  black  arts  of  magic  and  witch- 
craft, and  holding  an  intimate  communion  ^vi(h  the  Prince  of  Dark- 
ness. But  not  many  years  since  the  Grand  Lodge,  moved  by  sug- 
gestions from  beneath,  opened  the  doors  of  all  the  subordinate 
Lodges  for  the  gratuitous  admission  of  the  ministers  of  religion  to  all 
the  mysteries  and  privileges  of  the  Craft.  Prompted  by  a  vain 
curiosity,  enticed  by  the  trappings  of  the  harlot,  and  the  flattering 
encomiums  passed  on  Masonry,  and  doubtless  by  the  selfish  hopes 
of  personal  advantage  and  distinction,  they  degradingly  submitted 
to  the  hoodwink  and  halter,  crowded  into  the  mystic  temple,  which 
is  full  of  dead  men's  skulls,  and  all  uncleanness  ;  and  there — O  hor- 
rid! personally  bound  themselves  by  the  most  savage  imprecations 
to  promote  its  interests,  and  forever  conceal  ali  its  abomioitions. 


MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  tb 

The  pastors  of  churches  being  thus  gained,  an  appearance  of 
sanctity  was  thrown  around  the  Institution,  which  gave  it  a  credit 
and  currency  with  serious  people,  which  it  had  never  before  ob- 
tained. Encouraged  by  the  example  of  their  Christian  leaders, 
the  officers  and  members  of  churches  followed  in  their  train, 
and  thus  swelled  the  ranks  of  the  fraternity.  Multitudes  around 
them,  emboldened  by  such  examples,  viewed  the  histitution  with  a 
favourable  eye.  They  argued  that  the  Institution  must  be  good^ 
or  so  many  great  and  good  men — ministers,  professors,  and  others, 
never  would  have  joined  and  supported  it,  and  therefore  they 
pressed  forward  to  its  unhallowed  embrace,  where  they  were  bound 
by  the  strong  cords  of  iniquity,  and  where  they  were  taught  the 
sublime  science  contained  in  Boaz^  Jachin,  and  Mah-hah'bone — and 
many  of  them  the  sublime  mysteries  of  Jah-buh-lun  and  Ma-her- 
sha-lal-hash-baz. 

This  satisfactorily  accounts  for  the  unexampled  spread  of  Ma- 
sonry through  our  country  of  late  years  ;  and  also  shews  very 
clearly  how  the  masonic  Institution  has  crept  into  and  defiled  the 
Church.  The  same  persons  are  members  of  both  institutions,  and 
thus  form  the  connecting  link  between  the  Church  and  the  Lodge. 
They  usually  hold  a  good  standing  in  both  institutions.  They  are 
feilowshipped  in  both  parties,  and  in  this  way  the  Church  and  the 
Lodge  are  drawn  into  communion  with  each  other.  Thus  the 
church  becomes  polluted,  and  by  suffering  this  unholy  connection 
to  exist,  she  brings  upon  herself  the  guilt  and  crimes  of  which 
Masonry  now  stands  fully  convicted.  With  all  the  light  now  shed 
into  the  dark  caverns  of  the  widow's  son,  and  the  mysteries  of 
iniquity  there  performed,  and  exposed  to  public  view.  The  church, 
by  her  connivance  at  such  abominations,  becomes  accessary^  and 
involves  herself  in  all  the  blasphemies,  perjuries  and  crimes  which 
now  characterize  the  wunderwurking  brotherhood.  By  such  a 
connection  the  church  is  deliled,  her  glory  is  tarnished,  her  disci- 
pline is  obstructed,  her  energies  are  paralyzed,  and  she  is  made 
the  mere  tool  and  supporter  of  the  lodge.  While  men  slept  the 
enemy  sowed  these  tares,  but  now,  in  the  light  of  day,  they  ought 
not  to  be  suffered  to  grow.  They  must  be  rooted  up  or  the  har- 
vest will  be  blasted. 

With  what  holy  indignation  must  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church 
look  upon  this  unnatural  alliance,  surreptitiously  formed  between- 
his  holy  kingdom  and  the  kingdom  of  darkness  and  sin  !  No  won, 
der  he  frowns  upon  his  churches,  and  sends  delusions,  divisions 
heresies  and  strife  into  their  sacred  enclosures,  and  unless  they 
awake,  and  separate  themselves  from  this  abomination,  still  sorer 
judgments  may  be  expected.  And  what  an  awful  responsibility 
rests  upon  those  ministers  and  Christian  professors  who  have  sworn 
allegiance  to  a  foreign  dominion,  and  still  adhere  to  a  system  of 
government  and  laws,  paramount,  in  their  view,  to  the  authority 
and  government  of  Christ !  They  have  profaned  the  name  and 
polluted  the  sanctuary  of  the  Lord.  Their  example  has  deceived 
and  destroyed  many,  and  they  have  brought  the  stain  of  blood 
into  the  hallowed  abodes  of  parity  and  love.  Ey  their  conduct 
Chnst  is  wounded  'n  the  hoihS6  of  his  professed  friends,  and  his 
4 


i^  ><A6SACHCSETT3    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

holy  name  and  religion  greatly  dishonoured.  An  enlightefletl 
community,  seeing  their  inconsistency  in  endeavouring  to  sustainr 
both  the  church  and  the  lodge,  are  naturally  led  to  conclude  there 
is  nothing  valuable  in  that  religion  which  they  profess;  and  are 
thus  hardened  in  their  unbelief  and  sin.  The  ministers  and  mem- 
bers of  churches  who  have  bowed  the  knee  to  that  image  of  jeal- 
ousy, are  now  the  main  pillars  which  support  the  masonic  build- 
ing. Let  them  not  merely  withdra-si'^  but  dissolve  their  connection 
with  that  secret  assembly,  and  in  this  enlightened  age,  the  whole 
mystic  fabric  would  soon  crumble  to  its  base.  By  their  obstinate 
adherence  to  an  institution  so  degrading  and  wicked,  they  are  an- 
swerable for  ail  the  mischiefs  which  Masonry  has  done  and  will 
do,  and  deserve  to  be  rejected  and  disowned  by  the  church  and 
the  world. 

But  in  the  present  state  of  things,  and  as  matters  now  stand, 
what  are  the  churches  to  do  ?  How  are  they  to  acquit  themselves 
from  blame,  and  be  rid  of  the  evil  which  now  presses  so  heavily 
upon  them  ?  These  are  important  queries,  and  demand  a  plain 
and  explicit  answer;  and  happily  the  answer  is  at  hand,  and  the 
path  of  their  duty  is  obvious.  Every  organized  church  possesses 
in  herself  the  power  of  her  own  purification  and  preservation.  The 
sword  of  the  Spirit  is  in  her  own  hands,  and  under  the  direction  of 
her  Lord,  she  can  and  ought  to  separate  from  her  body  every 
incorrigible  member  of  the  masonic  fraternity.  She  is  invested 
with  the  power  of  discipline^  which  affords  an  ample  remedy  for 
this  great  and  sore  evil.  In  the  spirit  of  meekness  and  brotherly 
love,  let  her  institute  a  process  of  Christian  discipline  with  every 
brother  who  is  a  member  of  the  lodge,  and  call  him  to  an  account 
for  his  conduct.  There  is  no  want  of  just  ground  for  complaint. 
The  institution  of  Masonry  affords  numerous  points  of  Scriptural 
discipline  and  final  excision,  and  if,  after  due  process  and  forbear- 
ance, he  prove  obstinate  and  irreclaimable,  let  him  be  separated 
from  the  body  and  turned  over  to  his  own  company,  and  even  if 
the  offender  be  the  pastor  of  the  church,  let  him  be  dealt  with, 
and  impeached  before  a  tribunal  of  his  peers.  His  sacred  office 
ought  not  to  screen  him  from  the  just  censures  of  the  church.  But, 
if  unhappily,  as  is  sometimes  the  case,  a  majority  of  the  church  be 
Masons,  or  under  masonic  influence,  so  that  the  process  of  discipline 
be  arrested,  and  its  end  defeated,  and  the  guilty  protected,  let  the 
minority,  after  due  deliberation  and  consultation,  peaceably  ■with- 
draw^ in  obedience  to  the  divine  commands,  ^'  Wherefore,  come 
out  from  among  them,  and  be  ye  separate,  saith  (he  Lord,  and 
touch  not  the  unclean  thing. —  Have  no  fellowship  with  the  un- 
fruitful works  of  darkness,  but  rather  reprove  them. — Be  not  a  par- 
taker of  other  men's  sins;  keep  thjself  pure."  It  is  important 
that  Christians  do  this;  otherwise  by  partaking  of  their  sins,  they 
will  also  be  made  partakers  of  their  plagues. 

We  are  not  insensible  that  discipline  upon  this  subject,  introduced 
into  the  churches  and  carried  to  its  ultimate  results,  would  create 
.great  excitement  in  the  community,  and  be  attended  with  many  un- 
pleasant aad  troubiescme  things.  The  angry  passions  of  the  whole 
masonic  fraternity,  and  of  their  obsequious  minion'^,  wordd   he  ox- 


s  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  27 

cited, — the  cry  of  pergecution  would  be  raised,  and  much  alterca- 
tion, division,  and  disturbance  might  ensue.  But  what  if  all  this, 
and  more  than  this,  should  be  the  case,  shall  the  churches  be  still, 
and  neglect  their  duty,  because  Satan  will  rage?  Shall  they  suf- 
fer that  idolatrous  Jezebel  to  touch  and  to  seduce  the  servants  of 
God,  because  the  senseless  clamor  of  persecution  and  proscription 
will  be  raised?  The  fearful  and  unbelieving  may  flinch  from  their 
duty  through  dread  of  consequences,  but  let  the  righteous  be  bold 
as  a  lion  in  the  discharge  of  duty,  and  leave  all  consequences  with 
God.  What  great  reformation  in  morals,  politics,  or  religion,  was 
ever  effected  in  the  world  without  opposition  and  disturbance  ? 
Excitement  on  such  a  subject  as  this  is  good  and  commendable. 
An  apostle  has  said,  "  It  is  good  to  be  zealously  affected  always  in 
a  good  thing."  And  what  better  thing  can  awaken  the  zeal,  and 
engage  the  warm  efforts  of  Christians,  than  the  purification  of  the 
churches  from  the  pollutions  induced  by  masonic  connection  ?  Ex- 
citement in  this  case  is  not  to  be  dreaded  or  shunned.  Like  the 
winds,  thunders  and  storms  in  the  natural  world,  they  would  purify 
the  moral  atmosphere,  and  conduce  to  the  health  and  vigor  of  the 
body  of  Christ. 

Whether  the  time  has  yet  come,  and  the  public  mind  is  suffi- 
ciently prepared  for  the  commencement  of  this  great  and  necessary 
work  in  this  region,  may  be  a  matter  of  doubt.  Of  this  every 
church  must  judge  for  herself.  But  that  the  time  must  come,  and 
will  soon  come,  when  the  unholy  connection  between  the  Church 
and  Masonry  will  be  totally  dissolved,  there  can  be  no  <juestion. 
The  good  work  of  separation  has  already  begun  in  various  parts  of 
our  land,  and  among  several  denominations  of  professed  ChrlstiaJis, 
and  it  must  and  will  progress,  until  every  adhering  Mason  shall  be 
excluded  from  the  pulpit  and  the  church,  and  no  more  be  ordained 
or  admitted  as  members  of  the  body,  who  hold  any  communion 
with  that  mystery  of  abominations.  O  happy  day,  when  the 
church,  purified  from  her  present  guilt  and  defilement,  shall  shine 
in  all  the  beauty  of  hoHness,  and  "  look  forth  as  the  morning,  fair  as 
the  moon,  clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners.'* 

All  which  is  humbly  submitted. 


On  motion, 

Foted^  That  the  Committee  on  Nominations  be  instructed  that 
this  Convention  expect  no  gentleman  of  that  Committee  will  deem 
his  membership  any  excuse  for  his  not  being  named  as  a  Delegate 
to  the  United  States  Antimasonic  Convention. 

On  motion  of  Benjamin  F.  Hallett,  Esq.,  of  R.  Island,  it  was 

Resolved^  That  Messrs.  Hallett,  and  Walley  and  Pike,  of  Suffolk, 
be  a  Committee  to  examine  a  pamphlet  herewith  presented,  be- 
lieved to  have  been  designed  and  published  in  cypher,  by  Masons, 
as  a  guide  for  Masters  of  Lodges  to  procure  uniformity  in  the  work- 
ing of  the  first  three  degrees  in  Masonry,  and  that  they  report  to 
this  Convention  how  far  the  same  confirms  the  disclosures  that  have 


28  MASSACHUSETT*   ANTIMASONIC    COMVENTION. 

been  made,  touching  the  first  three  degrees,  together  with  their 
opinions  on  such  other  original  masonic  documents  as  may  be  pre- 
sented for  their  consideration. 

On  motion, 

Foted^  That  the  standing  rules  and  regulations  of  this  Conven- 
tion be  so  modified  as  to  allow  the  Committee  on  Mr.  Hallett's 
Resolution  to  consist  of  three  instead  of  five. 

On  motion  of  Doctor  Porter,  of  Suffolk,  it  was 

Resolved^  That  Messrs.  Porter,  Cutter,  of  Middlesex,  Breed  of 
Essex,  Ward,  of  Worcester,  and  R.  French,  of  Bristol,  be  a  com- 
mittee to  take  into  consideration  the  alarming  evils  and  threaten- 
ing dangers  to  our  republican  institutions  from  the  existence  and 
continuance  of  an  adherence  to  the  masonic  obligations  by  some  of 
our  fellow  citizens  connected  with  the  masonic  Institution,  with 
instructions  to  report  measures  for  their  prevention,  for  the  con- 
sideration of  this  Convention. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Walker,  of  Boston, 

Resolved^  That  when  this  Convention  adjourn,  it  adjourn  to 
reassemble  at  8  o'clock,  a.  m.,  tomorrow. 

Adjourned. 


Friday,  May  20,   1831. 

The  Convention  reassembled  at  8  o'clock,  according  to  adjourn- 
ment. 

Rev.  Mr.  Sanborn  was  requested  to  ofier  prayers  in  behalf  of  the 
Convention. 

Proceedings  of  yesterday  read. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Rice,  of  Worcester,  it  was 

Resolved^  That  Messrs.  Rice,  Clough,  of  Suffolk,  Richardson,  of 
Bristol,  Munroe,  of  Middlesex,  Woodbury,  of  Franklin,  Pool,  of 
Plymouth,  Pratt,  of  Essex,  Mann,  of  Norfolk,  and  Dawes,  of  Hamp- 
shire, be  a  Committee  of  Finance  to  raise  funds  for  defraying  the 
incidental  expenses  of  the  Convention,  and  for  aiding  the  Sufiblk 
Committee  in  diffusing  information  on  the  subject  of  Freemasonry. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Rice  of  Worcester,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  expressed  to 
the  Hon.  RICHARD  RUSH,  of  Pennsylvania,  for  his  able  and 
patriotic  exposition  of  the  character  and  effects  of  Masonry,  and 
that  the  President  and  Vice  Presidents  of  this  Convention  address 
him  a  letter  to  that  effect  in  their  behalf. 

On  motion, 

yoted.  That  the  Committee  on  the  Nomination  of  Delegates  to 
the  United  States  Antimasonic  Convention  be  instructed  to  report  a 
list  of  names  for  an  Executive  Antimasonic  State  Committee. 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIM-4S0NIC    CONVENTION.  29 

On  motion  of  Hon.  Mr.  Gardner,  of  Worcester,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Thacher,  of  Norfolk,  Halletf,  of  R.  I., 
Whitney,  of  Suffolk,  Reed,  of  Bristol,  and  Oliver,  of  Essex,  be  a 
committee  to  report  on  Resolutions  expressing  the  views  of  this 
Convention  relative  to  the  masonic  Institution. 

The  Report  on  Mr.  Bailev's  Resolution  read  and  laid  on  the 
table. 

The  Report  by  Mr.  Goflfe,  relative  to  Church  Membership,  was 
taken   up,  and  its  recommitment  moved.     Mr.    Hallett,  of  Rhode       ..^ 
Island  moved  that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  report  that   it  is 
inexpedient  to  act  upon  that  subject.     After  discussion,  the  Report 
was  recommitted  generally. 

Mr.  Goflfe,  from  that  committee,  subsequently  reported  a  Re- 
solve, "That  the  said  Report  be  revised  by  the  Chairman,  and  re- 
ferred to  the  Publishing  Committee  to  be  appointed  by  this  Con- 
vention. 

Mr.  Bailey's  Report  was  called  up,  adopted,  and  committed  to 
the  Publishing  Committee. 

REPORT. 

The  Committee,  appointed  to  consider  and  report  what  measures 
it  is  proper  to  recommend  to  the  people  of  this  commonwealth,  to 
guard  the  equal  rights  of  our  citizens,  and  the  faithful  administra- 
tion of  justice, — have  attended  to  the  duty  assigned  to  them,  with 
that  candor  and  justice,  they  trust,  which  it  always  becomes  one 
class  of  citizens  to  bring  to  the  consideration  of  questions,  connec- 
ted with  the  rights,  and  interests,  and  feelings,  of  another  class. 
Your  Committee  would  not  knowingly  recommend  any  measure, 
which  would  infringe  those  rights,  or  which  would,  beyond  what 
the  public  welfare  demands,  interfere  with  those  interests  and 
those  feelings.  They  believe  that  justice  is  at  the  basis  of  all 
good  character,  and  all  wise  government :  and  while  they  are  un- 
willing to  see  fostered  in  our  community  an  Institution,  the 
general  tendency  of  which  is  to  operate  unjustly  against  themselves 
and  other  citizens  not  connected  with  it,  they  do  most  sincerely 
wish  to  avoid  the  slightest  shade  of  injustice,  either  in  their  repre- 
sentations of  that  Institution,  or  in  the  measures  which  they  may 
recommend  to  be  adopted  in  self-defence  against  its  encroachments. 
Their  appeal  would  be,  not  to  the  excited  passions  and  sinister  cal- 
culations of  individuals,  but  to  the  good  sense,  calm  judgment,  and 
enlightened  conscience  of  the  public. 

Under  such  impressions,  your  Committee  would  suggest,  that  the 
following  measures  be  recommended  to  the  people  of  this  com- 
monwealth : 

1 .  That  the  people,  in  giving  their  suffrages  at  the  polls,  should 
express  their  disapprobation  of  the  masonic  institution. 

Whether  this  should  be  done  by  withholding  altogether  their 
suffrages  from  its  members,  or  by  a  discrimination  among  them,  on 
the  ground  of  a  weaker  or  stronger  adhesion  to  its  principles,  and 


30  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVKNTION. 

of  more  or  less  uprightness  of  general  character,  must  be  left  to  the 
judgment  and  conscience  of  every  individual  citizen.  There  are 
those  among  us  who  think  that  this  discrimination  should  be  made  ; 
while  others  believe,  that  the  object  of  us  all,  the  abolition  of  the 
institution,  cannot  be  effected  but  by  withholding  all  support  from 
its  adhering  members,  whether  this  adhesion  be  more  or  less  strong, 
or  their  characters,  otherwise,  more  or  less  unimpeachable,  and 
believe,  too,  that  this  is  perfectly  fair  and  just,  since  a  continued 
adhesion  to  masonry  is  a  condition  wholly  voluntary,  and  termina- 
ble at  will. 

We  are  not  forgetful,  that  this  measure,  whether  in  its  more 
rigid,  or  in  its  more  mitigated  form,  has  been  censured  as  intole- 
rant. It  has  been  pronounced  to  be  wrong,  to  bring  the  question 
of  masonry  into  political  concerns  at  all;  that  "political  anti- 
masonry,"  as  it  has  been  called,  is  inconsistent  with  the  benign  and 
tolerant  principles  of  our  government,  which  guarantees  to  alb 
equal  rights. 

This  objection  your  Committee  believe  to  be  wholly  groundless; 
and  they  are  confident  of  satisfying  every  candid    mind  that  it  is  so. 

It  is  Masonry,  and  not  Anti-masonry,  that  infringes  equal 
rights.  Masonry,  by  its  tremendous  oaths,  requires  certain  of  its 
members  to  aid  each  other  in  any  difficulty,  and  to  extricate  each 
other  from  the  same,  whether  right  or  wrong  ;  and  furthermore,  to 
keep  secret  what  is  given  as  such,  murder  and  treason  not  excepted. 
Obedience  to  these  oaths  most  palpably  infringes  equal  rights. — 
And  it  is  to  abolish  these  oaths,  that  Antimasonry  exerts  itself. 
It  is  therefore  not  Antimasonry,  but  masonry,  that  infringes  equal 
rights. 

But  how  does — how  can  a  resolution  not  to  vote  for  a  man,  in- 
fringe equal  rights  ?  No  man  has  a  right  to  an  office,  when  the 
people,  in  whose  gift  it  iS;  choose  to  confer  it  on  another.  We  call 
the  people  of  this  country  sovereign ;  and  they  are  so.  But  in 
what  does  this  sovereignty  consist?  He  is  a  sovereign,  who  is 
bound  by  no  law  but  his  own  sense  of  right  and  wrong.  How  then 
are  the  people  of  this  country  sovereign  ?  It  is  in  voting.  Here, 
in  this  act,  lies  the  eminent  sovereignty  of  the  people.  In  their 
speech — fti  their  commercial  transactions — in  the  varied  business 
of  life — they  are  not  sovereign.  They  are  not  sovereign  when 
they  enter  a  court  of  justice,  in  a  case  of  litigation  ;  they  are  not 
left  to  the  sole  direction  of  their  own  sense  of  right  and  wrong,  but 
are  compelled  to  submit  to  the  laws  of  the  land,  as  applied  to  their 
case  by  the  judgment  of  their  peers.  But  in  the  act  of  x^o^'n^,  the 
people  are  truly  sovereign :  for  it  they  are  accountable  to  no 
human  tribunal.  No  man  therefore  has  a  right  to  demand  the  vote 
of  another.  To  the  sovereign  judgment  of  the  people,  every  candi- 
date for  office  stands  or  falls. 

By  this  it  is  not  intended  to  be  denied,  that  a  vote,  though  a 
sovereign  act,  may  be  an  illiberal  one.  It  is  illiberal,  when  it  is 
withheld  from  a  candidate  for  an  insufficient  reason.  But  if  the 
reason  for  it  be  sufficient,  there  is  no  illiberality.  Take  an  exam- 
ple. One  citizen  determines  to  vote  for  no  one  who  is  opposed  to 
the  present   administration   of  the  general  government-     Another 


Massachusetts  antimasonic  convention.  31 

determines  with  equal  firmness  to  vote  for  no  one  who  is  in  favor  of 
it.  Now  if  the  former  in  truth  believes,  that  the  administration  is 
one  of  unequalled  wisdom,  virtue,  and  honor — and  if  the  latter  in 
equal  truth  believes  that  it  is  the  most  weak,  selfish,  and  profli- 
gate, that  ever  deluded  a  confiding  people — can  either  be  called 
illiberal  for  his  determination  respecting  his  votes? 

The  question  then  reverts — are  the  objections  to  Freemasonry 
svjfficientio  authorize  this  mode  of  opposition  to  its  extension  and 
power?  We  say  it  is.  Freemasons  say  it  is  not.  But  they  surely 
will  allow  us  the  same  right  of  judgment,  which  they  exercise 
themselves.  We  say  it  is  sufficient,  because  freemasonry  is  an  in- 
stitution productive  of  not  one  valuable  result,  beyond  what  might 
be  easily  obtained  without  its  existence  ;  and  is  at  the  same  time 
liable  to  great  and  most  pernicious  political  abuses,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  moral  character  of  its  oaths  and  injunctions. 

But  it  is,  say  some,  ""  proscription."  This  is  only  a  change  of 
the  term,  and  scarcely  needs  a  distinct  notice.  We  may  however 
be  permitted  to  remark,  that  the  term  proscription  is  applied  to  the 
acts  of  a  government.  The  case  under  consideration  is  totally  dif- 
ferent. The  chief  executive  magistrate  of  a  republic  is  not  a  sove- 
reign. He  is  but  a  servant  of  the  real  sovereigns,  the  people.  An 
executive  act  is  therefore  distinct  it  its  nature  from  the  act  of  voting. 
The  voter,  acting  as  a  sovereign,  is  bound  to  consult  only  his  own 
sense  of  right.  The  chief  magistrate,  acting  for  the  people,  is 
hound  to  consult  their  wishes  and  rights.  It  is  no  more  proscrip- 
tion, to  oppose  political  masonry  at  the  polls,  than  it  is  to  oppose 
any  political  party,  whose  course  and  principles  we  think  injurious 
to  the  public  good. 

But  the  censure  thrown  on  "political  Antimasonry,"  is  susceptible 
of  a  more  complete  and  triumphant  reply.  Antimasonry  was  not 
"  political,'"'  till  after  Masonry  had  become  itself  political ;  till  it  bad 
entered  "  the  holiest  of  holies"  of  our  political  ark,  and  profaned 
it  by  its  own  political  abominations.  Political  Antimasonry  was 
not  known  till  after  the  abduction  of  Morgan.  Soon  after  this  ab- 
duction, prosecutions  were  commenced  against  the  supposed  culprits. 
And  how  were  these  prosecutions  met  ?  Masonic  influence  baffled 
every  step.  Witnesses  were  secreted ;  others  were  mute ;  and 
others  again  took  on  themselves  the  fearful  weight  of  perjury. — 
Sheriffs  and  jurors  were  faithless  to  their  civil  oath,  that  they 
might  keep  faith  with  their  lawless  masonic  oaths.  Such  proceed- 
ings have,  up  to  this  day,  veiled  in  legal  darkness  the  last  scene  of 
unquestionable  murder.  And  if  at  times  the  scales  of  justice  have 
been  freed  from  the  profane  hands  that  thrall  their  movements,  and 
sentence  has  been  passed  on  some  minor  offence  in  the  dark  series 
of  wickedness,  even  here  masonic  countenance  and  sympathy  and 
funds,  have  come  in  to  the  relief  of  the  offender,  and  the  defeat  of 
justice. 

Thus  was  Masonry  itself  ''  political,"  before  Antimasonry  was 
such.  But  will  it  be  said  that  these  were  judicial  proceedings,  and 
therefore  not  political:^  Is  then  our  judiciary  no  part  of  our  politi- 
cal system  ?     Is  it  not  rather  the  most  dear,  the  most  important,  the 


32  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    COIfVENTlOri. 

most  sacred  part  of  Ihe  system  ?  It  unquestionably  is.  Political 
Masonry  then  was  prior  to  political  Antimasonry.  It  was  from  this 
exhibition  of  Masonry,  that  many  of  the  enlightened  citizens  of 
New  York,  seeing  a  canker  at  the  very  heart  of  their  political  sys- 
tem, determined  to  apply  the  only  remedy  that  promised  the  least 
success.  Other  remedies  had  failed.  This  alone  remained.  As 
Masonry  had  thus  become  manifestly  political,  they  resolved  to  op- 
pose it  politically — to  verify  the  words,  that  "  they  that  take  the 
sword,  shall  perish  with  the  sword.'* 

If  further  proof  were  needed,  that  Masonry  was  political  before 
Antimasonry  was  so,  we  find  it  in  the  published  confession  of  De 
Witt  Clinton,  the  Fligh  Priest  of  Masonry;  who,  before  the  out- 
rage on  Morgan,  declared  "  that  Freemasonry  is  sometimes  perverted 
and  applied  to  (he  acquisition  of  political  power.''''  This  is  confirm- 
ed, if  confirmation  were  needed^  by  the  testimony  of  Hiram  B. 
Hopkins,  that  in  1825,  before  the  abduction  of  Morgan,  Sheriff 
Bruce  avowed  to  him  that  he  (Bruce)  was  bound  as  a  mason  to  sup- 
port a  mason  in  preference  to  him,  (Hopkins)  who  was,  then,  not 
a  mason. 

On  this  one  confession  of  Mr.  Clinton,  political  Antimasonry  may 
rest  its  entire  justification.  The  acknowledged  use  of  masonry  as 
a  political  engine,  fully  justified  opposition  to  it  at  the  polls. 

To  these  considerations  might  be  added  some  recent  facts,  prov- 
ing the  strong  political  character  of  the  order. 

At  the  election  in  New  York  in  November  last,  we  have  the 
testimony  of  a  mason,  that  masons  devoted  themselves  ''  to  the  dark 
work  of  political  management  and  intrigue" — "  Masons,  adjusting 
their  plans  in  lodges,  and  pledging  themselves  secretly  through  the 
country,  by  written  instruments." 

In  the  recent  elections  in  our  own  State,  we  have  abundant  proof 
that  Freemasonry  is  political.  The  "  National  Republican"  nom- 
ination (so  called)  of  Representatives  in  this  city,  is  a  striking  in- 
stance of  its  influence.  The  term  "  National  Republican,"  we 
understand,  is  used  to  designate  the  friends  of  the  late  National  Ad- 
ministration, and  the  opponents  of  the  present.  In  all  party  nom- 
inations, it  is  a  well  known  object  to  embrace  as  many  subordinate 
interests  as  practicable,  in  order  to  concentrate  the  greatest  possible 
strength.  The  Antimasonic  party  in  Boston  numbers  about  800 
votes.  Was  the  slightest  movement  made  to  unite  these  votes 
with  the  so  called  National  Republican  votes?  Not  the  slightest. 
On  the  contrary,  there  was  a  most  pointed  mark  of  reprobation  set 
on  them.  In  the  late  representation  there  was  one  individual,  who 
stands  prominent  among  the  opposers  of  Freemasonry,  and  who  is 
at  the  same  time  one  of  the  most  respectable  and  public-spirited 
citizens  of  the  community.  This  gentleman's  name  was  dropt ;  and 
in  such  a  way  as  to  leave  not  a  doubt,  that  it  was  done  through 
the  influence  of  Masonry.  A  principal  citizen,  it  is  said,  seeing 
the  strong  impropriety  of  the  omission  of  such  a  name,  enquired 
the  cause  ;  and  was  told  it  was  done  by  "  an  oxersight^  But  this 
plea  is  not  true.  If  it  had  been  true,  there  was  an  occasion  presented 
for  correcting  the  oversight.     After  the  first  trial,  seven  vacancies 


MASSACHU»KTTS    ANTIMASONIC   CONT£NTI01f.  83 

remained;  and  seven  candidates  were  nominated  for  them.  Was 
this  citizen  then  taken  up?  No.-  Though  three  new  candidates, 
out  of  the  seven,  were  required,  this  "  oversight"  was  too  precious 
to  be  disturbed.  By  the  same  "  oversight"  as  at  first — that  is,  by 
fixed  and  inveterate  purpose  to  put  down  the  opposers  of  Masonry — 
this  most  respectable  citizen  was  again  put  by  ;  showing  most 
clearly,  that  the  falsely  called  National  Republican  nomination, 
was  in  truth  controlled  throughout  by  the  influence  of  Masonry. 

These  facts  are  stated,  as  mere  illustrations  of  the  political  char- 
acter of  Masonry.  The  proceedings  in  other  portions  of  the  State, 
in  the  late  election^  speak  the  same  language  most  unequivocally ; 
but  further  facts  are  superfluous.  Who  then  can  doubt  the  propri- 
ety, when  Masonry  is  thus  proved  to  be  political,  of  meeting  it  en 
its  own  political  ground,  and  breasting  it— calmly,  judiciously— yet 
firmly,  and  unconquerably  ? 

Having  dwelt  at  length  on  this  point,  your  Committee  would 
very  briefly  suggest  some  other  measures  to  be  recommended  to 
the  consideration  of  the  people  of  this  Commonwealth. 

2.  That  membership  of  the  masonic  fraternity,  should  be  made, 
by  statute,  a  sufiicient  ground  for  challenging  a  juror,  when  on* 
party  is  a  mason,  and  the  other  is  not. 

Our  Fathers,  both  in  this  country,  and  in  that  from  which  we 
have  mainly  descended,  took  earnest  and  continued  care  to  preserve 
the  inestimable  privilege  of  trial  by  jury  pure,  and  free  from  the 
contaminating  influence  of  passion  and  interest.  It  has  been  re- 
cently established,  by  the  legal  testimony  of  masons  themselves, 
that  Royal  Arch  Masons  take  an  oath  to  aid  a  brother  when  in  any 
difficulty,  and  extricate  him  from  it  if  within  their  power.  This 
oath  is  plainly  inconsistent  with  that  of  the  juror,  to  do  impartial 
justice  between  man  and  man.  In  other  degrees  of  Masonry,  oaths 
are  administered,  which  may  often,  if  not  necessarily,  sway  the 
judgment  of  the  person  taking  them  from  that  equity  of  purpose, 
which  marks  a  pure  and  impartial  jury.  The  taking  of  such  oaths, 
then,  is  a  fit  ground  of  challenge,  and  should  be  so  declared  by  law. 

3.  That  extra-judicial  oaths  be  made  by  statute  penal. 

The  preceding  measure  might  be  adequate  to  the  protection  of 
juries  from  sinister  bias.  But  by  the  same  testimony  as  has  been 
just  cited,  it  has  been  legally  established,  that  in  one  degree  of 
Masonry,  at  least,  an  oath  is  taken  to  keep  a  brother's  secret,  given 
as  such,  inviolable,  murder  and  treason  not  excepted.  This  oath 
destroys  the  purity  of  the  very  fountain  of  justice,  by  its  vitiation 
of  evidence.  A  witness  who  has  taken  this  oath,  and  obeys  it,  is 
induced,  under  certain  circumstances,  to  violate  his  civil  oath,  and 
abet  the  acquittal  and  escape  of  the  most  blood-stained  crimioal. 
Such  vicious  oaths  should  never  be  taken  ;  and  the  taking  or  ad- 
ministering of  them  should  be  made  penal  by  law. 
5 


34  MASSACHUSETTS    AKTIMASOMC    CONVENTION. 

4.  That  the  patronage  of  the  people  be  extended  to  such 
presses,  as  give  to  the  public  the  facts  connected  with  the  princi- 
ples, operations,  and  tendencies  of  Freemasonry. 

It  is  a  remarkable — it  is  even  an  alarming  fact,  that  a  large  por- 
tion of  the  newspapers  of  our  country  preserve  a  death-like  silence 
on  this  certainly  important  subject.  Why  is  this  done  ?  These 
papers  are  political,  and  this  subject  is,  now  at  least,  confessedly 
political.  Do  they  pursue  this  course  on  other  political  questions? 
No.  If  ^'  nullification"  be  threateued  in  the  distant  State  of  South 
Carolina — if  the  Cherokees  be  treat(3d  unjustly  by  Georgia — if  a  veto 
be  put  on  a  road  in  Kentucky — if  a  notorious  alien  swindler  be 
irregularly  arrested  in  any  portion  of  the  Union — we  hear  of  these 
things  from  day  to  day^  from  month  to  month,  and  through  length- 
ening years.  But  the  lawless  abduction  of  a  free  citizen  of  an  ad- 
joining State — his  cruel  incarceration,  and  his  atrocious  murder — 
the  efforts  of  justice  to  punish  the  outrage,  and  the  endless  and 
successful  labors  of  the  fraternity  to  baffle  these  efforts — till  at 
length,  despairing  of  preserving  to  the  country  the  sanctity  of  the 
laws  by  any  other  resort,  two  hundred  thousand  citizens  of  various 
States  have  resolved  to  accomplish  the  overthrow  of  a  society, 
whose  oaths  consecrate  and  whose  shield  protects  such  daring 
wickedness — all  this  has  been  proceeding  in  its  course,  year  after 
year,  and  yet  the  readers  of  many  of  our  newspapers,  if  their  know- 
ledge of  the  events  of  the  day  is  limited  to  the  facts  furnished  by 
these  columns,  are  almoj^i  as  ignorant  of  the  question  which  thus 
agitates  a  large  portion  of  our  wide  republic,  as  they  are  of  the 
persons,  habits,  and  contests  of  the  beings  inhabiting  another  planet. 

And  why  is  this  ?  It  is  because  JV/o^onry  wills  it.  Its  devotees 
well  know  that  this  ignorance  is  their  power.  Were  all  the  facts 
of  the  case  spread  before  the  public,  can  we  believe  that  the  apa- 
thy which  now  prevails  to  a  great  extent,  would  still  prevail  ?  No. 
Many  an  honest  man,  who  is  kept  in  ignorance  of  these  facts,  won- 
ders why  any  one  should  trouble  himself  about  Masonry.  He 
knows  that  a  neighbor  of  his  is  a  Mason,  and  that  that  neighbor  is 
an  excellent  citizen  and  an  honorable  man.  But  he  does  not  know, 
or  does  not  recollect,  that  this  excellent  citizen  and  honorable  man 
entered  the  pale  of  the  institution  betore  he  knew  its  character  and 
tendencies,  and  that  a  host  of  obstacles  prevent  his  retreat.  He 
may  dislike  its  forms,  despise  its  frivolities,,  mock  in  his  heart  at 
its  pretentions, and  sicken  at  its  nothingness; — he  may  even  abhor 
its  impieties  and  shudder  at  its  wickedness ;  and  yet  the  fearful 
oaths  he  has  taken— the  possible  infliction  on  himself  of  the  bloody 
penalties  attached  to  their  violation— the  apprehension,  notwith- 
standing the  extraordinary  charity  and  brotherly  kindness  of  the 
institution,  of  having  his  business  deranged,  on  which  perhaps  a 
family  depends  for  sustenance— and  even  the  shame  that  would  at- 
tend an  acknowledgement  before  the  world,  that  he  had  been  the 
dupe  of  a  worthless  and  unholy  institution — all  combine  to  deter 
him  from  quitting  a  position  where,  one  would  think,  an  intelligent 
mind  and  a  good  heart  can  never  lind  satisfaction.  To  stand  still, 
or  even  to  advance,  he  finds  easier  than  to  retreat. 


MASSACHUSETTS  ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  S5 

Now,  is  the  good  character  of  some  of  the  members—and  many 
of  good  character  we  admit  with  pleasure  are  found — any  proof 
that  the  institution  itself  is  good  ?  And  yet  such  is  the  easy  infer- 
ence of  many  an  honest  man,  from  whom  a  knowledge  of  the  char- 
acter of  freemasonry  is  withheld.  He  sees  not,  he  knows  not,  any 
thing  wrong  in  Masonry,  save  its  foolish  titles  and  parades.  When 
therefore  he  hears  of  an  Antimason^  he  is  at  a  loss  to  comprehend 
his  motive  for  opposing  so  frivolous  an  association.  But  when  a 
Mason  whispers  in  his  ear,  that  the  Antimason  has  no  other  object 
than  an  o-ffice^  our  honest  citizen  swallows  at  once  the  falsehood, 
and  inveighs  against  Antimasonry  as  a  selfish  and  hypocritical  spirit, 
a  persecutor  of  good  men,  and  a  disturber  of  the  peace  of  society. 

It  is  for  the  purpose  of  practising  such  deceptions,  on  the  public, 
that  Masonry  seeks  to  hush  to  silence  the  press;  directly,  where 
it  is  in  its  own  hands,  and  by  threats  where  it  is  not.  And  its  suc- 
cess has  been  great.  It  is  then  for  the  people  to  speak.  It  is  for 
them  to  say,  whether  they  will  patronize  a  press,  which  withholds 
from  the  public  important  political  facts.  Their  language,  when 
uttered,  will  be  heard;    and  it  will  be  obeyed- 


Mr.  Bigelow,  from  the  Committee  on  the  Trials  of  the  Morgan 
Conspirators,  &c.,  made  a  report,  and  was  reading  it,  when  a  mo- 
tion was  made  to  adjourn. 

Adjourned  to  3,  p.  m. 


Friday  Afternoon,  3  o'clock. 

The  Convention  reassembled  according  to  adjournment. 

Mr.  Bigelow  resumed  and  concluded  his  report,  which  was  laid 
on  the  table. 

Resolved^  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  to  this  Con- 
vention what  facts  have  been  disclosed,  in  the  recent  trials  of  the 
Morgan  Conspirators,  in  the  State  of  New  York ;  and  what  evi- 
dence has  been  elicited  in  relation  to  the  oaths,  obligations,  and 
ceremonies  of  Freemasonry. 

The  committee  appointed  under  the  foregoing  Resolve,  have 
attended  to  the  subject  matter  therein  contained,  and  ask  leave  to 
submit  the  following 

REPORT. 

In  the  investigation  of  this  subject,,  your  committee  are  strongly 
impressed  with  the  conviction,  that  the  masonic  Fraternity  embrac- 
es two  classes,  which  arc,  and  ought  to  be,  distinctly  designated. 
The  one  consists  of  the  virtuous,  high  minded,  and  patriotic  mem- 
bers, whose  declarations  and  general  conduct  assure  us  that  they 


36  MABSACHU8ETTS    ANllMAgONIC    CONVENTION. 

do  not  entertain  the  most  profound  respect  for  the  obligations  and 
ceremonies  of  the  order,  and  who  believe  they  have  other  and 
higher  duties  to  perform  than  those  resulting  from  masonic  oaths 
and  obligations. 

The  other  class  embraces  those  who  adhere  with  great  zeal, 
pertinacity,  and  exactness  to  the  oaths,  obligations,  rules  and  bye- 
laws  of  the  Institution;  believe  them  paramount  to  all  otherS;,  and 
"govern  themselves  accordingly." 

Your  committee,  in  order  to  show  the  binding  effect  of  masonic 
oaths,  on  a  part  of  the  Fraternity,  and  their  contempt  for  the  au- 
Ihority  of  our  Judicial  Courts,  ask  the  attention  of  the  Convention 
to  a  number  of  trials  held  in  New  York  in  the  year  1830.  The 
first  to  be  noticed  is  the  case  of  Calvin  Cook,  a  seceding  Mason^ 
vs.  Harvey  Cook,  a  Mason. 

In  this  case,  Erastus  Day  being  called  as  a  v/itness,  and  asked  if 
he  was  a  Mason,  peremptorily  told  the  Court  that  "  they  would  not 
be  able  to  get  any  thing  out  of  him  about  Masonry."  The  court 
decided  that  the  question  was  proper,  and  the  witness  must  answer 
it.  He  then  testified  that  he  had  taken  17  degrees  in  Masonry. 
He  was  asked  if  he  had  taken  the  usual  oaths  or  obligations,  from 
the  Entered  Apprentice's  up  to  the  Royal  Arch.  He  refused  to 
answer,  though  told  by  the  court  he  must.  Said  "  he  considered 
his  masonic  obligations  binding,  and  would  not  violate  them  for 
any  courtP  As  to  obeying  signs,  summonses,  and  tokens  ;  flying  to 
the  relief  of  one  giving  the  grand  hailing  sign  of  distress ;  also  as 
to  aiding,  assisting,  and  extricating  a  companion  from  difficulty, 
right  or  wrong,  he  wholly  refused  to  answer,  and  said  he  could  not 
without  criminating  himself  He  would  not  answer  as  to  keeping 
the  secrets  of  a  brother,  murder  and  treason  not  excepted  ;  and  told 
the  court,  he  considered  his  masonic  oaths  superior  to  the  oath  he 
had  just  taken  before  the  court ! 

Sylvanus  Cone  was  next  called,  to  whom  the  same  questions  were 
put,  as  to  Day,  also  some  others,  and  he  wholly  refused  to  answer, 
although  told  by  the  court  that  they  were  proper,  and  he  must  an- 
swer them ;  and  said,  "  You  an't  a  going  to  get  me  into  the  trap 
Mr.  Day  was  in,"  (that  is,  swear  to  tell  the  truth,  and  then  can't  do 
it  without  revealing  the  secrets  of  Masonry,)  you  can't  catch  me  so." 

Elisha  M.  Forbes  was  sworn.  He  then  said,  "  I'll  tell  anything 
that  is'nt  Masonry,  but  anything  that  is,  i  won't."  He  was  asked 
as  to  keeping  all  secrets,  helping  out  of  difficulty,  promoting  polit- 
ical preferment,  obeying  signs,  summonses,  &c.,  and  peremptorily 
refused  to  answer  any  of  them. 

'"''JohnT.  Carr^  Samuel  T.  Bush^  Samuel  Cook^  and  Luther  Bavin 
stubbornly  refused  to  be  sworn." 

Nathaniel  Glover  testified,  that  he  "did  take  an  oath,  which, 
upon  reflection,  he  was  satisfied,  was  designed,  and  directly  calcu- 
lated to  set  the  laws  of  God  and  man  at  defiance. 

In  the  trial  of  Ezekiel  Jewett,  in  1830,  one  of  the  Morgan  con- 
spirators, Orsamus  Turner^  refused  to  answer  questions,  for  which 
the  court  imposed. a  fine  of  ^?£)0,  and  ordered  him  to  be  imprisoned 
30  days  for  such  contempt. 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  37 

*'  John  Jackson^  who   went  to  the  magazine  with  Giddins,  while 

Morgan  was  in  it,  had  a  nonmi  recorJo  for  almost  every  question." 

"  Eli    Bruce^    Sheriffs  and    John    Whitney^  both    refused    to    be 

sworn,  and  Whitney  was  fined  ^250,  and  each    were  imprisoned 

30  days. 

We  next  notice  the  case  of vs. . 

The  case  was  this.  The  plaintiff  sold  defendant  Bernard's  Light 
on  Masonry  for  ^1  50,  warranting  that  the  book  contained  the  se- 
crets of  Masonry.  A  Mason  told  defendant  it  did  not  contain  Ma- 
sonry, and  when  plaintiff  called  for  the  purchase  nnoney,  defendant, 
on  account  of  the  deception,  refused  payment ;  whereupon  plain- 
tiff brought  this  action. — Among  other  witnesses  summoned  was 
Benjamin  Enos^  Grand  King  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  of 
the  State  of  New  York,  who  being  sworn  refused  to  answer  the 
questions  put  to  him.  The  court  told  the  witness  he  must  answer. 
The  witness  then  said,  '*'  No  court  can  impose  upon  me  an  oath  to 
make  me  violate  any  previous  promise  or  obligation ;  therefore,  I 
will  answer  no  more  questions." 

The  committee  cannot  help  remarking,  that  the  Grand  King,  &c. 
is  a  high  officer  in  the  masonic  ranks,  and  likely  to  understand  and 
give  the  true  construction  to  the  obligations  he  had  both  taken  and 
administered.  This  construction  upon  a  most  important  point  he 
has  furnished ;  and  an  intelligent  community  will,  it  is  believed, 
make  the  appropriate  comments. 

Were  not  all  these  witnesses  sworn  to  tell  the  truth,  the  whoh 
truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth  ?  And  did  they  not  refuse  to  tell 
the  truth  when  thus  sworn  ?  And  have  they  not  been  guilty  of 
perjury  in  so  refusing  ?  And  what  but  their  masonic  obligations  led 
to  the  commission  of  this  offence? 

Yet  Masons  still  deny  that  the  obligations  and  principles  of  their 
Institution  interfere  with  the  administration  of  justice.  To  your 
committee,  this  denial  of  a  fact  thus  fully  proved,  appears  to  be 
required  by  the  following  part  of  the  oath  of  an  Entered  Appren- 
tice Mason,  viz. :  "  I,  &c.  do  hereby  solemnly  swear,  that  I  will 
always  hail,  ever  conceal,  and  never  reveal,  any  part,  or  parts,  art,  or 
arts,  point  or  points,  of  the  secrets,"  &.C. 

Since  the  commencement  of  the  year  1831,  several  persons, 
having  been  previously  indicted  for  participating  in  the  conspiracy 
for  the  forcible  abduction  of  William  Morgan,  have  received  their 
trials  before  a  Special  Circuit  Court,  in  the  State  of  New  York. 
The  facts  elicited  on  these  trials  cannot  fail  deeply  to  interest 
every  patriot  and  friend  to  the  good  order,  peace,  and  well  being 
of  society.  They  exhibit  Freemasonry  in  a  garb,  if  possible,  more 
appalling  and  odious  than  heretofore.  The  great  difficulty  of  pro- 
curing the  attendance  of  witnesses  in  these,  as  well  as  in  the  for- 
mer trials,  of  those  implicated  in  the  unlawful  abduction,  confine- 
ment and  murder  of  a  fellow  citizen,  owing  to  the  secret  interfer- 
ence of  those  who  have  sworn  to  protect  a  companion  in  difficulty, 
"  and  extricate  him  from  the  same,  if  in  their  power,  whether  he 
be  right  or  wrong,"  is  just  cause  of  alarm  to  a  free  people,  and  is 
sufficient  to  fix  a  stain  upon  the  principles  of  any  institution,  that 


38  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

ages  cannot  remove.  The  dangerous  influence  of  the  masonic  ob- 
ligations, has  been  so  fully  verified  in  these  trials,  that  longer  to 
doubt  this  fact  must  be  considered  unreasonable  scepticism.  The 
palpable  perjury  of  witnesses,  to  protect  and  shield  their  unworthy 
associates  in  the  conspiracy,  furnishes  incontestible  proof  of  the 
horrible  influence  and  tendency  of  the  oaths  administered  in  the 
Lodge  and  Chapter  upon  the  minds  of  a  portion  of  the  Fraternity. 
And  what  renders  this  circut^stance  the  more  appalling  is,  that 
their  influence  extends  not  merely  to  the  ignorant  and  unlettered, 
but  to  men  of  education,  of  high  standing  and  respectability;  men, 
who  but  for  these  unfortunate  associations,  might  have  occupied 
and  adorned  the  highest  stations  in  society. 

In  the  trial  of  Elisha  Adams  at  Lockport  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  in  the  month  of  February  last,  indicted  for  an  assault  and 
battery,  and  false  imprisonment  of  William  Morgan,  the  following 
among  many  other  important  facts  were  disclosed :  That  a  free 
fellow  citizen  of  Batavia,  in  the  State  of  New  York,  was  seized  by 
a  band  of  Freemasons,  in  the  day  time,  and  transported  in  a  close 
carriage  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles;  his  arms  bound, 
a  handkerchief  over  his  eyes,  and  confined  in  the  United  States 
magazine  at  Fort  Niagara.  The  first  night  after  his  seizure,  he 
was  lodged  in  the  gaol  at  Canandaigua,  thence  taken  and  by  force 
transported  to  and  confined  in  the  magazine.  Here  he  remained 
from  the  13th  of  September,  1826,  till  the  night  between  the  18th 
and  19th,  when  he  was  removed  privately  and  sunk  in  the  river 
Niagara.  Most  of  the  fiicts  proved  in  this  are  substantially  the 
same  as  developed  in  the  former  trials  of  the  Morgan  conspirators. 
An  extensive  concert  was  proved  to  have  existed  previous  to  this 
outrage  among  the  Lodges,  Chapters  and  Encampments  in  New 
York  and  Canada ;  a  variety  of  plans  were  proposed  and  discussed 
for  the  fulfilment  of  their  unlawful  purposes,  in  which  Masons  of 
the  highest  standing  took  an  active  part.  Among  these  were  Judges 
of  the  Courts,  Lawyers,  Clergymen,  Physicians,  Generals  and  Sher- 
iffs. The  testimony  of  Edward  Giddins,  John  Jackson,  Eli  Bruce, 
and  James  A.  Shed,  (all  implicated  in  the  conspiracy  and  abduction 
of  Morgan,  by  their  own  testimony,)  if  entitled  to  credit,  proves  the 
facts  of  the  conspiracy,  the  abduction,  the  confinement  in  the  mag- 
azine, and  subsequent  murder,  beyond  a  doubt. 

The  judge,  in  charging  the  jury,  said,  "  The  defendant,  if  guilty 
at  all,  was  guilty  of  an  assault  and  battery,  and  false  imprisonment 
of  William  Morgan,  and  of  a  conspiracy  actually  carried  into  effect. 
And  the  guilt  or  innocence  of  defendant  depended  on  the  testimony 
of  Edward  Giddins,  John  Jackson,  Eli  Bruce,  and  James  A.  Shed. 
That  if  Giddins  and  Shed  are  to  be  believed,  no  doubt  remained  of 
the  guilt  of  the  defendant.  That  Shed's  testimony  corroborated 
Giddins'  on  material  points.  If  Giddins  was  not  to  be  believed, 
Shed's  testimony,  if  entitled  to  credit,  was  ample  evidence  to  make 
out  the  conspiracy.  And  although  great  efforts  were  made  to  im- 
peach Giddins,  his  moral  character  seemed  to  be  beyond  reproach. 
It  was  indeed  conceded  that  his  character  for  truth  and  veracity 
was  unimpeachable."     The  court  also  stated  that  the  testimony 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANT1MA60NIC    CONVESTIOW.  38 

of  Bruce  and  Jackson  in  part  corroborated  that  of  Giddins  and 
Shed.  Of  Shed,  Judge  Nelson  said,  "  He  was  free  to  admit  that 
the  frank  manner  in  which  he  confessed  Iiis  own  participation  in 
the  affiiir,  inspired  the  court  with  confidence  in  his  testimony." 
Eleven  of  the  jury,  on  retiring,  immediately  agreed  that  the  defend- 
ant was  guilty  ;  but  William  Wilson^  of  Lewiston,  a  Master  Mason, 
would  not  agree  to  convict  him,  and  the  jury  were  dismissed. 

In  the  trial  of  Parkhurst  Whitney,  Noah  Beach,  S.   M.  Chub- 
buck,  Timothy  Shaw,  and  William  Miller,  before  the  same  court, 
for  a  like  offence,  the  facts  proved   were  substantially  the  same  as 
in  the  case  of  Adams,  with  some   additions.     It   was   proved  that 
George  Garside^  a  butcher,    from   Canada,  and  a  Mason,  requested 
an  introduction  to  a  Mason  of  high  standing,  that  he  might  obtain 
permission  to  put  Morgan  to  death.     Also,  that  when   Morgan   ar- 
rived at  Niagara,  a  person,  one  of  his  keepers,  called  up  the  ferry- 
man, to  whom  he  said,  ^^  We  have  got  the  damned  perjured  rascal, 
bound,  hoodwinked,  and  under  guard."     That  water  was  asked  for, 
as  the  poor  wretch  was  almost  tarnished,  and  complained   that   the 
handkerchief  (over  his   eyes)   hurt  him  intolerably.     Morgan  was 
asked  if  he   did  not  know  that  he  deserved  death,  and  that  it  was 
their  duty^  as  Masons^  to  take  his  life.     Several  modes  of  destruc- 
tion were  proposed  during  his  confinement,  and  he  was  informed, 
that  "  they  would  send  to   the  Grand  Lodge  then  sitting  at  Jerusa- 
lem, to  know  what  to  do  with  him.     That  William  Miller  said  he 
could  prove  from  Scripture  that  it  was  right  to  put  Morgan  to 
death,  and  quoted  a  passage  for  that  purpose  subsequently :  and 
after  the  19tJi,  Jewett  said  they  had  murdered  that  man.     Garside  had 
requested  that  Morgan  might  be  brought  to    the  Canada  side  and 
tied  to  a  tree,  and    said,  '*■  /  will  find  a  man  who    will   put  a  ball 
through  him  ;  or  take  him  cut  in  a  boat  and  make  him  walk  a  plank  ; 
or  take  him  down  to  low  water  mark  and  inflict  upon  him  the  penult}/ 
ofhisjirst  obligation.''''     After  Morgan  was  dead,  Garside  said  to  one 
of  the  witnesses,  "We    caught  a  bass    t'other  night,  by  which  he 
was  understood,  destroyed  him.     King  and  Jewett  requested  Giddins 
to  walk  the  bank  oj"  the  river,  and  if  he  found  the  body  he  would  know 
as  a  Mason  what  to  do  with  it.     Kihg  said  a  Knight  Templar  came 
from  the  East,  who  declared  he  "came  to  put  the  quietus  upon  Mor- 
gan;  and 'shew  his  authority.     King  informed  him  he  was  too  late  ; 
it  was  all  over,  and  he  might  return.     It  was   testified,  also,  that 
Morgan  was,  by  agreement,  to  be  sunk    with   a   stone    or  weight. 
That  there  were  stone  weights  with  rings  at  the  fort;  one  of  these 
was  fished  out  of  the  river  next  season.     The  Masons  offered  Giddins 
any  sum  of  money  to  quit  the  country  and    not  disclose;  that  he 
proposed  to  receive  ^2000,  the  expense  of  removing  his  family  and 
have  his  debts  of  about  ^800  paid.     Masons  said  the  lodge  funds 
had  been  much  exhausted,  and  they  could  raise  only  ^250,  which 
was  enough.     Giddins  told   them  they  were    a  band  of  cutthroats 
and  midnight  assassins,  with   whom  he  would  have  nothing  more 
to  do.     Adams  told  Giddins  that  the  money  was  or  would  be  raised 
by  the  Grand  Lodge.     There  was  testimony  in  the  case  that  Elisha 
Adams^  the    defendant,   said,  he  concealed   himself  under    a    lime 
house  near  the  eddy  ;  that  he  discovered   a  boat   there   from  Can- 


40  MASSACHUSKTTS    AICTlMASONIC    CONVKMlOW. 

ada.  He  saw  three  men  come  down  the  hill  with  Morgan ;  all 
went  into  the  boat  and  he  saw  no  more  of  them.  The  next  season 
when  they  were  dragging  the  river  for  the  body,  Garside  said, 
"  They  will  get  him,  for  they  are  dragging  in  the  very  spot;  there 
is  the  place  we  put  him.  'Of  tlie  defendants,  two,  Shaw  and  Mil- 
ler, were  acquitted,  as  to  the  others  the  jury  did  not  agree. 

In  the  case  of  the  People  vs.  Shepherd  and  Maxwell,  tried  at 
the  same  court,  Jona.  K.  Barlow  testified  that  he  attended  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Chapter  at  Batavia,  in  August,  1826,  when  the  book  that 
Morgan  was  expected  to  publish  was  mentioned.  He  stated  that  he 
had  attended  two  or  three  previous  meetings  upon  the  same  sub- 
ject. A  committee  of  the  Chapter,  who  said  they  had  been  to 
Rochester,  Buffalo,  and  Canandaigua,  presented  their  report,  and 
asked  to  whom  they  should  present  their  bill  to  be  audited.  They 
were  told  by  the  High  Priest  to  present  it  to  the  auditing  com- 
mittee. The  reporter,  while  reading,  was  stopped  by  the  Rev. 
Lucius  Smith,  the  High  Priest,  and  ordered  not  to  proceed  as  there 
might  be  traitors  present.  No  other  name  was  mentioned  in  the 
report  but  Morgan's.  The  committee  stated  that  they  assembled 
the  companions  at  Rochester,  and  informed  them  what  Morgan  was 
about  to  publish.  On  hearing  this  the  High  Priest  pulled  off  his 
coat,  stripped  up  his  sleeves,  and  said,  "  Bring  me  the  man  who 
dares  to  do  that  thing,  and  I  will  show  you  what  to  do  with  him." 
At  the  time  the  report  was  presented,  all  were  cautioned  to  be  dis- 
creet, careful,  and  to  keep  what  was  said.  At  this  meeting,  Judge 
William  Mitchell  was  exalted  to  the  Royal  Arch  degree. 

William  Mitchell  was  next  called  as  a  witness,  and  confirmed  the 
testimony  of  Barlow. 

After  the  trials  had  closed,  the  Special  Counsel  for  the  people 
made  a  report  to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  of  New  York,  in 
which  he  says,  "  The  information  thus  elicited  is  sufficient,  I  trust, 
to  satisfy  the  public  mind  as  to  the  ultimate  fate  of  Morgan  ;  that 
he  was  taken  to  the  Niagara  river  in  the  night,  about  the  19th  of 
September,  (1826,)  and  there  sunk.  There  is  no  ground  to  believe 
from  information  which  has  come  to  my  knowledge,  that  there  is 
now  alive,  and  within  the  jurisdiction  of  any  of  the  United  Slates, 
any  one  except  Elisha  Adams,  who  was  present  at  the  death  of 
Morgan.  The  testimony  of  Loton  Lawson,  John  Whitney,  Ell 
Bruce,  and  Isaac  Farwell,  on  these  trials,  have  established  beyond 
the  possibility  of  doubt  or  contradiction,  the  forcible  abduction  of 
Morgan,  and  the  continuity  of  such  force  from  the  goal  at  Canan- 
<laigua  to  the  magazine  at  Fort  Niagara  ;  and  also  repelled  the  pre- 
tence heretofore  set  up  by  the  conspirators,  that  Morgan  went 
voluntarily.  The  witness,  Lawson,  who  first  seized  Morgan^  and 
who  claimed  to  have  obtained  such  consent,  was  constrained  to  ad- 
mit, upon  the  stand;,  that  there  was  no  ground  for  such  a  pretence." 

Thus  we  perceive  that  the  laws  are  set  at  defiance  by  the  authors 
of  an  audacious  and  bloody  conspiracy.  Where  masonic  efforts  are 
concentrated,  our  Judiciary,  the  pride  and  boast  of  the  country,  is 
inefiicient  and  wholly  unequal  to  the  exigency.  In  these  transac- 
tions have  been  displayed  some  of  the  true  principles  and  power. of 
Masonry.     The  agents,  embracing  men  of  education  in  all  the 


MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASOXIC    CONTENTIOW.  41 

learned  professions,  acted  in  strict  accordance  with  the  literal  and 
reasonable  construction  of  the  masonic  oaths  and  obligations. 

The  attention  of  the  Convention  is  solicited  to  one  more  trial, 
held  in  New  York  in  April  Inst. 

This  was  an  action  brought  by  the  plaintifls,  Overseers  of  the 
Toor  of  New  Berlin,  in  the  County  of  Chenango  r*.  Harlow  C. 
A^iiherell  for  rxhihiting  the  first  seven  degrees  of  Masonry,  at  the 
house  of  Lodowicli  Crandall.  The  trial  was  before  a  JVIjigistrate. 
The  dcfendani's  counsel  called  for  a  jury,  which  being  summoned 
and  returned,  wr.3  challenged  by  defendant's  counsel  on  the  ground 
that  the  Constable  was  a  Mason^  some  of  the  juror*  were  Masons,  and 
one  of  the  plaintiffs. 

They  offered  to  prove  that  the  masonic  t)bligations  are  of 
such  a  nature  as  to  disqualify  its  members  from  acting  impartially 
in  a  case  of  this  kind.  The  Court  decided  that  witnesses  might  be 
called  to  show  the  interest  existing  between  tbe  constable  and 
the  masonic  plaintiff,  and  the  nature  of  the  masonic  obligations. 

Eihaard  C.  Willinns  testified  that  he  is  a  Free-mason  of  three 
degrees,  knows  Downing  and  Simonds  to  be  Masons  from  report. 

John  Pike  testiiied  that  he  is  a  Mason,  and  knows  Simonds  is  a 
Mason  of  three  degrees,  and  Dozining  a  Royal  Arch  Mason. 

William  C.  Gree«/cf'/ testified  thai  he  is  a  Mason  of  three  degrees, 
has  taken  the  oath  of  a  Master  Mason  substantially  as  it  is  in  Ber- 
nard's Light  on  Masonry,  and  has  heard  the  same  obligation,  in 
substance,  found  in  that  book,  administered  a  number  of  times  in 
lodges;  was  agitated  when  he  was  initiated;  has  reflected  deeply 
on  the  nature  of  the  oath;  it  was  the  nature  and  tendency  of  the 
oath  of  a  Master  Mason  that  led  him  to  that  reflection;  that  the 
oath  was  improper;  and  could  go  no  farther.  First  and  second 
cle_^rees  were  sui>stantially  as  in  Bernard's  book. 

Cross-examined.  Witness  says,  he  is  opposed  to  mnsonry,  i*?  an 
Anti-mason  in  principle,  and  was  so  before  tbe  abduction  of  Mor- 
gan. '\h<?.  oath  liinds  a  Mason  to  keep  certain  secrets;  believed 
the  mas(»nic  obligations  would  conflict  with  the  laws  of  tbe  country 
an  I  tbe  duty  he  owed  to  tbose  laws;  tbe  penalty  of  the  Master 
Aa-on's  degree  is  "to  have  bis  body  severed  in  two"  &.c.  and  his 
lile  taken,  A\  ;ul(l  be  reveal  tbe  secrjtsi  f  maso  iry  ;  was  told  before 
his  initiation,  that  there  wtre  ^'reaf /?rn!i  e,^e5  in  m.isonry;  led  on 
step  by  step,  knew  not  the  penalty  until  the  last;  was  blindfolded, 
&c.  when  he  was  initiated.  A  Master  Mason  swears  not  to  violate 
the  chastity  of  a  Master  Mason's  wife,  mother,  sister  or  daughter, 
knowing  tliem  to  be  such  ;  and  thinks  this  obligation  a  privilege 
elsewhere;  joined  tbe  lodge  he  thinks  in  1815  or  1816;  the  lec- 
tures inculcate  morality  ;  separate  fron)  the  oaths,  they  are  good. 
'J'he  oaths  and  penalties  were  not  explained  away  to  him  in  the 
lectures  or  in  the  locige.  To  the  question  by  the  plaintiffs  counsel, 
where  did  you  get  your  masonry  ?  in  the  Anti-masonic  Almanac, 
in  the  Papers,  or  in  Bernard's  iiook  ?  Witness  answered,  ''in  a  just 
and  lawfully  constituted  lodge." 

The  plaintiffs  counsel  not  wishing  to  go  further  into  the  question 
the  array  was  quashed  by  the  Court,  and  a  new  venire  issued  to 
6 


«i  iiASSACHUSETTS    AN!  IMASOISIt    CON  VICNTIOrf. 

another  Cons<table  who  returned  a  jury  less  objectionable.  The 
jury  being  empannelled,  plaintiffs  counsel  stated  the  nature  of  the 
prosecution  and  the  grounds  on  which  they  claimed  a  verdict;  that 
Witherell's  exhibition  was  an  idle  show  and  came  under  that  pro- 
Tiision  of  the  statute  which  prohibits  idle  shows,  such  as  common 
showmen,  mountebanks  or  jugglers,  usually  exhibit;  that  masonry 
was  a  distinct  society,  unlike  other  societies.  They  first  called 
.^sa  M.  Calkins  who  testified  that  he  was  at  Crandall's  on  the  7th. 
and  saw  the  exhibition  of  Wltherell  as  advertised  in  the  handbill. 
Witness  said  he  had  seen  several  performances;  but  never  saw 
common  showmen,  mountebanks  or  jugglers  give  such  an  exhibition. 
Plaintiffs  counsel  then  called  Jeremiah  Phillips  who  testified  that  he 
saw  Witherell's  exhibition  ;  a  man  was  blindfolded,  brought  into  the 
room,  with  drawers  and  slip  on,  shirt  partly  on,  rope  round  his 
neck,  led  round  the  room  a  number  of  times,  and  knelt  down. 
■  Cross-examined.  He  said  that  point  of  the  compass  was  pressed 
to  his  naked  breast;  man  had  an  apron  on;  oath  administered; 
prayers  were  repeated ;  when  candidate  was  brought  to  light,  mas- 
ter of  lodge  exclaimed,  '"and  God  said  let  there  be  light  and  there 
was  light ;"  and  at  the  same  time  the  bandage  was  jerked  off  the 
eyes  of  the  candidate;  and  men  clapped  hands  and  stamped  togeth- 
er on  the  floor,  &c.  he  also  gave  the  leading  points  on  the  ceremo- 
nies of  the  Royal  Arch  degree.  Here  the  counsel  for  plaintiffs 
rested  their  cause. 

In  opening  the  defence  the  counsel  denied  that  Witherell's  exhi- 
bition came  under  the  clause  in  the  statute  which  prohibits  the 
exhibitions  of  common  showmen,  mountebanks  or  jugglers,  and 
stated  that  it  was  a  true  and  genuine  exhibition  of  Free-masonry 
and  relied  upon  the  proof  of  this  fact  for  the  acquittal  of  the  de- 
fendant. 

Asa  M.  Calkins^  testified  particularly  and  minutely  to  the  exhrbi- 
tjon  and  confirmed  what  Mi\  Phillips  had  said. 

Williom  C.  Greenleaf  was  called,  and  plaintiffs  counsel  objected 
to  having  masons  called  to  prove  their  secrets  and  ceremonies^ 
which  was  argued  by  both  sides,  and  overruled  by  the  Court.  The 
witness  then  stated  that  the  three  first  degrees  were  exhibited 
as  described  by  Phillips  and  Calkins ;  were  generally  ciorrect,  and 
the  same  as  he  had  seen  in  lodges  at  different  times.  He  has  been 
told  by  miisons  th^t  Jachin  and  Boaz  was  masonry ;  knows  that 
alterations  have  been  made  in  that  work ;  thinks  masonic  ceremo- 
nies "solemn  mockery,^'  as  the  bible  was  used  in  the  lodge. 

Gen.  Augustus  ^e/c.^,  (Sheriff  of  the  county)  testified  that  he  is 
ft  Royal  Arch  Mason,  that  the  door  is  tyled  by  a  man  with  a  drawn 
sword,  to  keep  off  cowans  and  eavesdroppers;  candidate  is  nearly 
divested  of  his  clothing ;  has  drawers  on,  neck  naked,  cable-tow 
round  it,  bandage  over  his  eyes,  is  led  around  the  room,  kneels  at 
the  altar  and  takes  the  oath  ;  thinks  it  is  in  the  obligation  not  to 
speak  evil  of  a  brother  master  mason,  but  to  apprise  him  of  all  ap- 
proaching danger,  if  in  his  poAver ;  to  obey  signs,  summonses,  &,c. 
to  keep  a  worthy  master  mason's  secrets,  murder  and  treason  ex- 
cepted and  they  left  at  my  own  election ;  to  aid  and  assist  all  poor, 
indigent  master  masons^  their  wives  and  orphans  ;  if  any  part  of  this 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTIOK.  H 

obligation  is  omitted  the  candidate  swears  that  he  noill  hold  himself 
amenable  thereto  rschen  informed ;  Hiram  Abiff  is  represented  as 
killed  and  buried ;  search  is  made  and  he  is  found,  a  sprig  of  cassia 
by  his  head;  brethren  attempt  to  raise  him;  first  and  second  grip 
fail;  the  third  (  lions  grip )  raises  him.  In  the  Mark  Master's 
degree,  a  mark  is  pretended  to  be  put  on  the  candidate;  mallet, 
chissel,  and  a  bowl  slajned  in  imitation  of  blood  is  produced  ;  chissel 
is  applied  near  the  breast  and  a  blow  given  with  the  mallet. 
In  one  degree  the  master  resigns  his  place  to  the  candidate,  and 
other  offices  become  vacant;  the  lodge  is  thrown  into  great  confu- 
sion and  noise ;  candidate  is  ridiculed  for  assuming  a  station  for 
which  he  is  not  qualified.  Penalty  in  the  master  mason's  degree  is 
"to  have  the  body  severed  in  two  in  the  midst  and  divided  to  the 
north  and  south,  the  bowels  burnt  to  ashes,  and  tlie  ashes  scattered 
to  the  four  winds  of  heaven,"  &c.  In  the  Royal  Arch  degree  the 
witness  testified  that  he  took  the  following  oaths,  viz.  '^I  will  not 
give  the  grand  omnific  Royal  Arch  word  which  I  shall  hereafter 
receive,  in  the  chapter  or  out,  except  in  the  presence  of  two  com- 
panion Royal  Arch  masons,  myself  making  three,  and  then  by  three 
times  three  under  a  living  arch  not  above  my  breath ;" — '*'  I  will 
not  reveal  the  inefiable  characters  belonging  to  this  degree,  or 
retain  the  key  to  them  in  my  possession,  but  destroy  it  whenever 
it  comes  to  my  sight."  Witness  thinks  he  swore  the  following,  "1 
will  not  wrong  this  chapter  nor  a  companion  of  this  degree  to  the 
value  of  anything,  knowingly  myself,  or  sufier  it  to  be  done  by  .oth- 
ers if  in  my  power  to  prevent."  "I  will  not  be  at  the  exaltation 
of  a  candidate  to  this  degree,  at  a  clandestine  chapter,  I  knowing  it 
to  be  such ;  I  will  not  assist  or  be  present  at  the  exaltation  of  a 
candidate  to  this  degree,  who  has  not  regularly  received  the  degree 
of  Entered  Apprentice,  Fellow  Craft,  Master  Mason,  Mark  Master, 
Pasi  Master  and  Most  Excellent  Master,  to  the  best  of  my  knowlr 
edgc  and  belief;  I  will  not  assist  or  see  mere  or  less  than  three 
candidates  exalted  at  one  and  the  same  time ;  I  will  not  be  present 
at  the  forming  or  opening  of  a  Royal  Arch  chapter,  unless  there 
be  present  nine  regular  Royal  Arch  Masons;  That  /  will  not  speak 
evil  of  a  companion  Royal  Jirch  Mason,  neither  behind  his  back  nor 
before  his  face^  but  will  apprize  him  of  all  approaching  danger  if  in 
my  power ;  I  will  not  strike  a  companion  Royal  Arch  Mason  ip 
anger  so  as  to  draw  blood  ;  I  will  support  the  Constitution  of  the 
General  Grand  Royal  Arcli  Chapter  of  the  Stale  under  which  this 
Chapter  is  held,  and  conform  to  all  the  bye-laws,  rules  and  regula- 
tions x)f  this  or  any  other  Chapter  of  which  I  may  become  a  mem- 
ber ;  I  will  obey  all  regular  signs,  summonses,  or  tokens  given, 
handed,  sent  or  thrown  to  me,  iVom  the  hand  of  a  companion  Royal 
Arch  Mason,  or  from  the  body  of  a  lawfully  constituted  chapter  of 
such,  provided  it  be  within  the  length  of  my  cable  tow  ;  ''  I  will 
aid  and  assist  a  companion  Royal  Arch  Mason  when  engaged  in  any 
difficulty,  and  espouse  his  cause  so  far  as  to  extricate  him  from  the 
same,  if  in  my  power,  whether  he  be  right  or  wrong,"  which  was 
explained  by  being  told  his  duty  w\as,  to  get  him  away  out  of  the 
difficulty  or  quarrel  if  he  could  ; — that  a  companion  Royal  Arch 
Mason's   secrets,  given  me  in  charge  ?i?  such,  and  I  Ii;nowing  thetp 


44  MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASONIC   CONVEKTTOX. 

to  be  such,  shall  remain  as  secure  and  inviolate  in  my  breast  as  in 
his  own,  ^Vf//rc^er  and  Treason  not  excepted;  witness  believes  he 
took  the  following:  ''  I  will  aid  and  assist  all  poor,  indigent  Koyal 
Arch  Masons,  their  widows  and  orphans,"  and  believes  the  penalty 
was  as  follows:  "All  which  I  most  solemnly  promise  and  swear 
with  a  firm  and  steady  resolution  to  perform  the  same,  without  any 
eqnivocjition,  mental  reservation,  or  self  evasion  of  mind  whatever, 
binding  myself  under  no  less  penalty,  than  that  of  having  my  skull 
smote  off,  and  my  brains  exposed  to  the  scorching  rays  of  the  sun, 
should  I  ever  knowingly  or  willfully,  violate  or  transgress,  any  jjarl 
of  this  my  solemn  oath  or  obligation,  of  a  Koyal  Arch  Mason.  So 
help  me  God  and  keep  me  steadfast  in  the  performance  of  the 
same."  In  the  Royal  Arch  ceremonies,  the  candidates  have  to  go 
under  the  '*'  living  arch,"  formed  by  two  rows  of  Masons  joining 
hands;  some  one  says  in  a  low  tone,  ''stoop  low  brother,  stoop 
low  ;"  Ihoy  then  lower  their  hands,  and  the  candidates  are  brought 
down  on  their  bands  and  knees;  as  they  crawl  through,  ihey  are 
told  they  must  pass  through  rugged  ways;  and  chairs  and  other 
obstacles  are  put  before  them  to  climb  over.  There  is  a  repre- 
sentation of  the  destruction  of  Jerusalem,  at  which  a  great  noise  is 
m^de  ;  also  a  representation  of  the  6i/rn/'»g  6J/5/1;  and  inonepirt 
of  the  ceremony  this  question  is  put :  ^'  Are  you  a  Koyal  Arch  Ma- 
son ?"     Which  answer  is,  "  I  am  that  1  am  " 

JoAn  Pifee,  (a  justice  of  the  peace)  testified  that  he  became  a 
Mason  about  14  years  ago;  is  a  Royal  Arch  and  has  taken  15  de- 
grees, in  masonry.  Fart  of  the  Master  Mason's  oath  which  has 
been  read  is  correct  and  a  part  is  not.  The  substance  is  the  same, 
and  knows  of  no  idea  materially  different  from  the  book.  I  have 
taken  the  substance  ofthis  obligation  :  "  Fuithermore  do  I  promise 
and  swear,  that  I  will  not  give  the  grand  hailing  sign  of  distress, 
except  I  am  in  real  distress,  or  for  the  benefit  of  the  craft  when 
at  work  ;  and  should  I  ever  see  that  sign  given  or  the  word  accom- 
panying it,  and  the  person  who  gave  it,  appearing  to  be  in  distress, 
I  will  fly  to  his  relief  at  the  risk  of  my  life,  should  there  be  a 
greater  probability  of  saving  his  life  than  of  losing  my  own."  I 
have  sworn  not  to  wrong  the  lodge  or  a  brother  of  this  degree 
to  the  value  of  one  cent  knowingly  ;  nor  to  be  at  the  initiating  of  a 
young  man  in  his  nonage,  an  atheist,  irreligious  libertine,  idiot  or 
woman  ;  and  "to  apprize  a  brother  Master  Mason  of  approaching 
danger;  that  a  Master  Mason's  secrets,  given  me  in  charge  as 
such,  and  I  knowing  them  to  be  such,  shall  remain  as  secure  and 
inviolable  in  my  breast  as  in  his  own,  when  communicated  to  me, 
murder  and  treason  excepted  ;  and  they  left  to  my  own  election  ; 
to  aid  and  assist  all  poor  and  indigent  Master  Mason's,  their  wives 
and  daughters.  The  penalty  is  to  have  my  body  severed  in  two 
in  the  midst,  and  divided  to  "the  north  and  south,  my  bowels  burnt 
to  ashes,  and  the  ashes  scattered  to  the  four  winds  of  Heaven." 
In  the  ceremony  in  the  lodge,  the  master  exclaims,  'Smd  God 
said  let  there  be  light  and  there  was  light,"  at  the  same  time  the 
bandage  over  the  eyes  of  the  candidate  is  quickly  pulled  off;  there 
is  a  clapping  of  hands  and  stiimping  of  feet  on  the  ffoor;  a  small 
cord  was    round    my  neck   when    1   was    initiated.     In    the   Mark 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVEKTIOW.  45 

Master's?  dogrce  a  mallet  and  chisel  are  used  to  mark  the  candi- 
date  ;  a  howl  is  producpd  as  if  to  catch  the  blood,  anri  has  some- 
times the  appearance  of  being  stained  with  blood.  The  chisel  is 
placed  near  ihc  breast  and  a  blow  sfiven  with  the  mallet.  In 
an  other  degree  there  is  a  represenlatinn  of  killing  Hiram  Ai)iff, 
lie  is  buried,  and  after  considerable  search  is  found  with  a  sprig  of 
cassia  by  his  head  ;  is  raised  from  the  grave,  &c.  The  obligatioi.s 
of  the  Royal  Arch,  as  stated  by  General  Welch^  are  substantially 
correct.  1  have  taken  the  obligation  "to  aid  and  assist  a  compan- 
ion Royal  Arch  mason,  when  engaged  in  any  difficulty  ;  and  es- 
pouse his  cause,  so  far  as  to  extricate  him  from  the  same,  if  in  my 
power,  whether  he  he  right  or  wrong.""  This  was  explained  when 
taken  as  General  Welch  has  testitied.  I  took  the  following  obliga- 
tion :  '"•  that  a  companion  Royal  Arch  Mason's  secrets,  given  me  in 
charge  as  such  and  I  knowing  them  to  be  such,  shall  remain  as 
secure  and  inviobitde  in  my  breast  as  in  his  own.  Murder  and  Trea- 
son not  cxce/ited.'"^  The  penally  is  the  same  as  was  stated  by  Gen. 
Welch.  To  the  question  in  some  part  of  the  ceremonies,  are  you 
a  Royal  Arch  Mason?  the  answer  is  in  the  language  of  God  to 
Moses,  "  I  am  that  I  am."  The  question  in  the  ceremonies  ""  who 
comes  there?"  was  put  seven  times.  In  the  i^^yal  Arch  degree 
the  candidates  pass  under  a  living  arch  made  of  hands,  so  h)w  that 
they  have  to  crawl.  On  a  cross  examination,  witness  says  he 
believes  he  is  not  compelled  as  a  witness  or  juror,  by  his  oath  and 
eh;irges  together,  to  favor  a  brother  mason  ;  charges  are  consider- 
ed to  explain  the  duties  of  a  mason. 

Bouse  Clark  testified  that  he  is  a  free  mason,  but  don't  know 
how  many  degrees  "he  has  taken  ;  is  a  Royal  Arch  and  higher. — 
Here  the  counsel  for  plaintiffs  admitted  that  Clark  would  swear  to. 
the  same  obligations  as  Messrs.  Welch  and  Pike  had  sworn  to,  and 
earnestly  entreated  counsel  for  defendant  to  examine  no  further. 
A  few  questions  however  were  put  and  answered.  (:^uestion,  have 
you  taken  the  following  obligation  in  the  Master's  degree  :  ""  Fur- 
thermore do  I  promise  and  swear,  that  a  Master  Mason's  secrets, 
given  me  in  charge  as  such,  and  1  knowing  them  to  be  such,  shall 
renjain  as  secure  and  inviolable  in  my  breast  as  in  his  own,  when 
communicated  to  me,  murder  and  treason  excepted,  and  they  hft  to 
my  election.''''  Answer,  ''  1  have  taken  one  similar  to  that."  I 
have  taken  one  to  assist  a  companion  Royal  Arch  Mfison^whether  he 
be  rioht  or  urnng ;  it  was  explained  as  stated  by  Gen.  Welch.  1 
have  taken  the  following  in  substance  in  the  Royal  Arch  obligation, 
'"  Furthermore  do  1  promise  and  swear,  that  a  companion  Royal 
Arch  Mason's  secrets,  given  me  in  charge  as  such,  and  I  knowing 
them  to  be  such,  shall  remain  as  secure  and  inviolable  in  my  breast 
as  in  his  own.  Murder  and  Treason  not  excepted.  Being  cross-ex- 
amined, said  '^  he  thinks  the  chnrsrcs  and  lecturer  are  moral.  An- 
otheT  witness  was  called  but  the  Court  said  it  was  unnecessary  to, 
go  further,  as  the  testimony  was  not  controverted  by  the  plaintiffs. 
The  cause  went  to  the  Jury  about  6  o'clock.  A-  M.  on  Thursday, 
who  retired,  and  not  being  able  to  agree  were  discharged  about  9, 
five  being  in  favor  of  acquitting  defendant,  and  one  for  convicting. 


46  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVKNTION. 

The  Committee  deem  the  foregoing  trial  important,  not  because 
of  the  disclosure  of  any  new  facts  in  regard  to  the  masonic  obliga- 
tions and  ceremonies,  but  from  the  circumstance  that  the  facts  were 
proved  by  adhering  members  of  the  fraternity,  who  are  friendly  to 
the  institution ;  and  are  the  same  as  published  and  confirmed  by 
seceders.  These  Masons  too,  the  witnesses,  were  of  high  standing 
among  the  fraternity  and  in  the  community,  and  no  attempt  was 
made  to  impeach  their  credibility.  And  whoever  shall  hereafter 
read  the  disclosures  of  masonry  and  the  evidence  of  their  truth,  and 
still  doubts  as  to  their  genuineness,  will  be  entitled  to  the  sympa- 
thy of  their  more  fortunate  fellow  citizens,  who  are  blessed  with 
sound  minds,  or  ranked  among  the  apologists  for  outrage  upon  life 
and  liberty. 


Mr  Hallett,  from  the  Committee  on  a  Pamphlet  in  character  and 
cypher,  &.c.  presented  a  Report,  which  was  read  and  laid  on  the 
table.  A  part  of  the  accompanying  pamphlet  was  read,  as  tran- 
scribed from  the  original. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  a  pamphlet  published  in 
-characters  and  cypher,  purporting  to  be  a  publication  put  forth  by 
adhering  Masons,  beg  leave  to 

REPORT. 

That  the  pamphlet  in  question,  which  is  herewith  presented  as 
A  part  ol  this  Report,  is  without  title  or  date,  and  consists  of  an 
ingeniously  devised  system  of  short  hand,  by  omitting  consonants, 
inverting  their  order  and  the  occasional  use  of  arbitrary  signs,  with 
other  guards  against  detection,  sufficient  to  render  the  decypher- 
ing  of  the  work  hardly  possible,  without  the  aid  of  the  disclosures 
that  have  been  made  of  the  lectures  and  obligations  of  the  three 
first  degrees,  which  are  fully  comprised  in  this  publication.  It 
therefore  might  have  been  put  forth,  at  the  time  it  is  believed  to 
have  been  devised,  with  perfect  confidence  that  through  it  the 
secrets  of  Masonry  could  not  become  intelligible  to  the  world, 
though  your  Committee  infer  from  certain  references  to  the  devi- 
sers of  this  and  similar  systems  of  rendering  the  masters  of  lodges 
bright  Masons,  that  it  was  not  seconded  with  approbation  by  the 
higher  orders  of  the  Fraternity. 

The  evidence  on  which  the  Committee  found  their  belief  that 
this  pamphlet  contains  original  Masonry  in  the  three  first  degrees, 
as  administered  in  the  New  England  lodges,  is  circumstantial,  but 
of  a  nature  that  must  convince  every  candid  mind.  Such  circum- 
stantial evidence  is  as  conclusive  as  positive  testimony,  and  on  it 
rests  the  proof  of  the  origin  of  the  most  celebrated  works  of  an- 
tiquity, and  in  a  great  degree,  the  authority  of  the  Scriptures 
themselves. 

Your  Committee  have  the  fact,  that  this  pamphlet  was  the 
property  of  an  adhering  Mason,  a  citizen  of  Providence,  R.  I.  who 
xlied  at  sea,  and  that  it  was  found  among  his  papers  after  his 
decease,  several  years  before  the  abduction   of  William    Morgan, 


MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  41 

and  of  course  before  Antimasonry  had  an  existence.  This  fact 
might  be  directly  substantiated,  but  from  the  circumstance  that  H 
requires  a  presentation  to  the  public  of  the  names  of  females,  who 
would  naturally  shrink  from  such  an  exhibition.  Independent  of 
this  fact,  the  internal  evidence  of  age,  in  the  appearance  of  the 
type,  letter,  &c.  a  criterion  by  which  a  printer  or  antiquarian  would 
fix  the  age  of  a  work  with  very  tolerable  accuracy,  is  entirely  sat- 
isfactory, that  the  origin  of  the  publication  must  be  carried  back  to 
a  period  often,  fifteen  and  perhaps  twenty  years.  It  could  also  be 
shown  that  a  Past  Master  of  a  lodge  in  Rhode  Island,  a  warm  ad- 
hering Mason,  has  repeatedly  admitted,  on  examination  of  the  work^ 
that  he  had  seen  it  in  the  lodge,  over  which  he  presided,  in  1820, 
and  that  he  believed  it  to  be  genuine  Masonry,  as  it  was  adminis- 
tered in  that  lodge,  but  that  no  person,  not  a  mason,  would  ever 
be  the  wiser  for  it.  We  have  also  satisfactory  evidence  of  the 
fact,  that  another  copy  of  this  work  is  in  the  possession  of  an  ad- 
hering Mason,  of  Newport,  R.  I.  by  whom  it  has  been  shown  to 
gentlemen  in  that  town,  and  pronounced  by  him  to  be  genuine  Ma- 
sonry, devised  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  Masters  of  lodges,  to 
whom  alone  the  Key  was  entrusted,  to  perform  the  ceremonies 
and  administer  the  oaths  with  accuracy  and  uniformity.  Your 
Committee  therefore,  on  every  principle  of  evidence,  are  satisfied 
of  the  fact  that  this  work  was  published  several  years  before  anj 
inquiry  had  been  made  in  this  country,  affecting  the  character  of 
Freemasonry. 

Having  thus  fixed  the  period  of  publication,  beyond  the  origin  of 
the  present  investigations  into  Masonry,  it  is  obvious  that  the  book 
in  question  must  have  been  piiblished  from  one  of  two  motives — 
Either  by  adhering  Masons  for  the  purpose  of  affording  aid  in  de- 
livering the  lectures  and  administering  the  oaths,  and  thereby  pro- 
ducing uniformity  in  the  work  of  the  lodge  room — or,  that  it  was 
published  by  the  enemies  of  Masonry,  for  the  purpose  of  disclosing 
the  secrets  of  the  Order. 

The  last  of  these  grounds  is  wholly  untenable  from  the  consider- 
ation that  had  the  author  of  the  work  intended  to  disclose  the  real 
or  pretended  secrets  of  the  order,  he  never  would  have  been  at  the 
labor  and  expense  of  publishing  it  in  a  form  as  unintelligible  to  the 
uninitiated  as  were  the  symbols  and  devices  which  had  already 
been  published  and  approved  by  masonic  chapters  and  lodges. — 
To  disclose  the  secrets  of  Masonry,  out  of  the  lodge  room,  could 
not  therefore,  by  any  plausible  construction,  have  been  the  design 
of  a  publication  so  carefully  shrouded  in  mystery,  as  to  render  it  a 
sealed  book  to  the  uninitiated. 

The  only  possible  conclusion  then  to  arrive  at,  is  that  the  work 
was  designed  and  published  by  Masons,  and  for  the  use  of  Masons. 
The  Committee  challenge  a  refutation  of  this  position  by  the  ad- 
vocates of  the  Order,  for  which  purpose  the  work  in  question  is 
offered  to  the  examination  of  members  of  the  Fraternity.  That 
the  work  has  not  been  generally  known  by  Masons,  (excepting 
perhaps,  Masters  of  Lodges)  is  presumed  from  the  fact  that  your 
Committee  have  met  with  no  seceding  or  other  mason,  not  a  Mas- 
ter of  a  lodge,    who   professes  any  acquaintance  with  the  cypher. 


48  MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASONIC   CONVENTION. 

One  seceder,  a  Past  Master  of  a  lodge  in  Rhode  Island,  has  rccog- 
ni/.ed  the  wotk  as  a  s:ni;le  by  which  inisonic  oaths  were  adminis- 
tered,   and  Masters  ofiodges  I'rightened  in  their  duties. 

A  strong  evidence  (-f  the  authenticity  of  this  work,  has  hef»n  de- 
rived i'y  testing  the  eflect  of  a  repetition  of  its  oatiis  upon  adlierin'jf 
masons.  Many  wlio  have  sheltered  themselves  behind  the  sli>::ht- 
est  variation  in  terms,  to  deny  the  whole  obligation  as  cited  from 
Berniird,  in  peremptory  phrase,  have  shrunk  from  the  test  of  the 
oath  when  presented  to  them  from  what  your  Committee  would 
designate  by  way  of  distinction,  "The  Masons  Own  Book"  In 
no  instance  within  our  knowledge,  has  an  a<lhering  Mason  denied 
the  terms  of  the  oaths  as  transcribed  from  this  book.  Should  it  he 
ol  JGcted  to  the  authenticity  of  this  book,  that  its  publication  by 
Masons,  would  be  a  violation  of  the  Kntered  Apprentices  ojith,  not 
to  cut,  carve,  print,  &c.  the  answer  is  plain,  th;it  the  same  obligi- 
tion  would  apply  with  equal  fut"te  to  the  Monitor  of  Wel>b,  the 
Chart  of  Jeremy  L.  Cross,  and  the  whole  collection  of  Masonic 
Mirrors,  Charts  and  Emblems,  published  under  the  express  sanction 
of  the  highest  masonic  bodies  in  this  country.* 

Having  thus  fairly  established  the  masonic  origin  and  authenticity 
of  this  work,  the  next  is,  what  does  it  disclose,  and  how  do  the 
statements  here  given  by  adhering  Masons  correspond  with  those 
given  by  seceding  Masons?  On  this  point  the  work  in  question  is 
entirely  satisfactory  and  conclusive,  as  will  be  seen  by  a  transbition, 
herewith  presented,  of  the  three  first  lectures  in  the  three  Hrst 
degrees.  It  will  be  found  that  while  every  substantial  poijit  in  the 
obligation,  is  here  expressly  contirmed,  there  are  repeated  varia- 
tions in  language  and  arrangement,  irom  the  disclosures  made  by 
other  sources  of  information,  such  as  must  inevitably  occur,  in  oral 
repetitions,  for  which  the  Masters  of  different  lodges  rely  upon 
memory  alone. 

It  is  reniarkable  that  in  all  the  lectures  here  given,  there  is  not 
the  slightest  allusion  to  the  civil  laws,  nor  is  the  candidate  any 
where  asked,  as  in  the  lectures  given  by  Bernard,  whether  he  Is 
willing  to  take  an  oath  that  will  not  interfere  with  his  civil  and 
religious  duties.  On  the  other  hand  he  is  taiight  in  the  lectures 
that  ■"*  he  must  be  prepared  to  lay  down  his  life  rather  than  to 
reveal  any  of  the  secrets  of  Freemasonry  that  have  been  communi- 
cated to  him."  The  significant  allusion  to  the  penally  of  the  obli- 
gation in  the  first  section  of  the  .Apprentices  Lecture,  is  another 
evidence  of  the  understanding  of  the  candidate  that  his  life  must  be 
forfeited  by  a  disclosure  of  the  secrets  of  Masonry.  The  selfish  and 
exclusive  nature  of  the  Institution  is  made  apparent  by  the  answers 
in  two  of  the  lectures,  in  which  the  cindidate  states  that  bis  motive 
in  becoming  a  mason  was,  "'•  that  he  might  obtain  ways  the  better 
to  support  himself." 

In  all  the  oaths  as  here  given,  the  candidate  swears  that  he  will 
not  only  abide  by  and  support  the  Constitution  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
but  will  abide    by   and    support   the    general   regulations  of  Ma- 

*  Masonic  Chart,  J.  L.  Cross,  p.  159. 


MABSACHtJSETTS   ANTIMASONIC   CONVENTION.  49 

30NRy.  These  general  regulations,  we  have  the  highest  masonic 
authority  for  saying,  are  uniform  throughout  the  world  and  not 
succeptible  of  change.  Of  course  then  the  New  England  Mason 
swears  to  abide  by  the  general  regulations  of  Masonry  in  New 
York,  which  prompt  and  justify  the  murder  of  a  citizen  disclosing 
the  secrets  of  Masonry,  and  require  of  jurors  and  witnesses  to  pro- 
tect such  offenders  in  direct  violation  of  their  civil  oaths. 

Another  consideration  of  some  importance,  connected  with  this 
representation  of  Masonry  by  Masons,  is  that  it  doubtless  gives  in 
the  three  tirst  degrees  all  the  morality  and  science  comprised  in 
those  degrees.  This  would  be  the  most  important  point  to  impress 
upon  the  minds,  if  the  Institution  really  were  what  its  advocates 
pretend.  As  to  the  mornlity  embraced  in  the  statements  in  this 
book,  your  Committee  are  wholly  unable  to  discover  it.  On  the 
contrary,  a  selfish  principle,  and  an  utter  disregard  of  civil  relations 
and  duties,  are  the  leading  principles  recognized  in  both  the  oaths 
and  lectures.  The  information  developed  is  doubtless  highly  im- 
posing. After  the  repetition  of  mumeries  more  childish  than  the 
most  frivolous  plays  of  infancy,  the  candidate  is  brought  to  light, 
and  the  prodigious  discovery  made  that  one  point  or  both  points  of 
the  compass  are  bare,  according  to  his  advance  in  this  wonderful 
science.  He  is  also  taught  with  the  solemnity  becoming  so  momen- 
tous a  matter,  how  to  tuck  up  or  how  to  tuck  down  his  apron  ;  and 
here  his  jdiscoveries  end.  The  curtain  of  science  falls  upon  his  as- 
tonished and  disappointed  sight ;  and  he  must  go  through  new 
terrors  and  follies,  and  incur  new  expenses  before  he  can  have  fur- 
ther light  shed  on  his  benighted  mind. 

The  Committee  would  here  close  their  suggestions  with  the 
remark  that  in  their  opinion  the  work  they  have  examined  fully 
and  circumstantially  establishes  the  fact  that  the  three  first  de- 
grees of  the  Order  are  faithfully  revealed  to  the  world,  by  seced- 
ing Masons,  and  that  the  information  of  the  disclosures  in  Uhese 
degrees,  by  this  evidence  drawn  from  Masonic  authority,  is  strong 
collateral  evidence  that  the  disclosures  made  by  them  of  the  ad- 
vanced degrees,  are  equally  correct.  The  fact  that  Masons  and 
their  adherents  deny  to  this  day  that  the  secrets  of  the  three  first 
degrees  are  before  the  public,  while  their  own  Book,  in  their  own 
figures  and  devices  convicts  them  of  misrepresentation,  furnishes 
fair  ground  for  the  belief  that  they  are  equally  disingenuous  and 
reckless  in  denying  the  truth  of  the  disclosures  in  the  advanced 
degrees. 

Annexed  to  this  Report  is  a  correct  translation  of  the  three  first 
Lectures,  comprised  in  the  pamphlet  under  consideration,  all  of 
which  is  submitted  for  the  disposition  of  the  Convention. 


A  Report  from  Mr.  Walker,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the 
correspondence  between  the  Antimasonic  State  Committee  and  the 
Masonic  Fraternity,  was  read  and  laid  on  the  table. 
7 


60  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASOKIC    COtiVENttOS. 


REPORT.  ^^sf^fm-A 

The  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  corres« 
pondence  of  the  Antimasonic  State  Committee  with  the  Masonic 
Fraternity  of  this  Commonwealth,  having  given  such  attention  to 
the  subject  as  the  brevity  of  the  time  allotted  them  will  permit, 
ask  leave  to  report.  That  in  compliance  with  certain  resolutions 
adopted  by  the  late  Convention  holden  in  this  place,  the  State 
Committee  (as  appears  by  their  reportr  submitted  to  this  body,) 
addressed  the  Grand  Lodge,  Grand  Chapte,  Grand  Encampment  and 
Grand  Council  of  Freemasons,  communicating  the  said  resolutions 
and  respectfully  and  urgently  requesting  their  attention  to  the  same. 
To  this  reasonable  and  as  your  committee  believe,  very  becoming 
petition,  these  Masonic  Fraternities  have  not  yet  condescended  to 
pay  any  deference,  or  return  any  answer  whatever.  This  result, 
however,  much  it  might,  from  the  nature  and  spirit  of  the  Masonic 
Institution,  have  been  anticipated,  js  yet,  as  your  Committee  feel, 
to  be  most  sincerely  and  deeply  regretted. 

A  fond,  though  a  faint  hope  was  indulged  that  the  Masonic  Fra- 
ternitres,  impelled  by  a  sense  of  justice  to  an  outraged  public  senti- 
ment, of  deference  to  the  violated  laws  of  their  country,  and  of  a 
decent  respect  to  the  Conventron  wou-ld  have  deigned  to  give  some 
explanation  of  their  conduct,  or  at  least,  if  they  feel  themselves  in- 
nocent, deny  the  charges,  which  were  preferred  against  them. 
The  petition  though  couched  in  the  most  respectful  terms  has 
been  treated  with  insult,  and  all  our  expectations  of  a  fair  and  hoa- 
orable  defence  of  their  conduct  are  destroyed. 

The  great  objects  of  the  first  Convention  were  an  investigation 
of  the  facts  and  circumstances,  respecting  the  nature  and  tendency 
of  the  Masonic  Institution,  both  in  its  theoretical  organization  and 
practical  effects.  That  investigation  resulted  in  the  belief  expres- 
sed in  the  resolutions  alluded  to,  and  the  only  measure  adopted  by 
that  body  was  to  present  the  petition  to  which,  we  refer.  This 
was  then,  and  is  undoubtedly  still  thought  a  proper  measure.  It 
was  in  character  wifh  the  spirit  of  the  times,  and  in  accordance 
with  the  practice  of  our  fore -fathers  when  suffering  under  unjust 
oppression. 

To  remonstrate  against  an  arbitrary  and  unconstitutional  exercise 
of  power,  to  protest  against  an  infringement  of  their  dearest  rights, 
and  to  petition  for  a  redress  of  grievances  has  ever  in  this  republic 
been  considered,  not  only  the  right,  but  the  duty  of  a  free  people. 
This  we  have  done,  but  our  petitions,  like  those  presented  by  our 
patriotic  sires  at  the  foot  of  Royal  insolence,  have  been  treated 
with  contumely  and  neglect,  and  the  Masonic  Bodies  of  this  Com- 
monwealth have  practically  declared  that  the  voice  of  an  offended, 
injured  and  suflering  people,  as  expressed  by  their  representatives 
in  Convention  assembled,  is  beneath  their  notice  and  unworthy  their 
regard. 

Thai  the  Masonic  Fraternities  of  New-York  in  their  associated 
capacity,  planned,  instigated  and  executed  the  abduction  of  William 
Morgan  does  not  admit  of  a  doubt,  and  that  they  aided  and  assisted 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  51 

the  perpetrators  by  their  funds  and  influence  to  escape  the  just  re- 
tribution of  violated  law,  is  equally  true.  That  these  facts  are 
known  to  the  Masonic  Fraternities  of  this  Commonwealth  cannot 
admit  of  a  reasonable  doubt,  it  seemed,  therefore,  of  great  impor- 
tance that  the  public  should  know,  whether  the  Masons  of  this 
State  could  under  these  circumstances  continue  their  fellowship 
with  those  lodges,  immediately  and  directly  engaged  in  the  most 
attrocious  conspiracy,  that  ever  disgraced  the  annals  of  our  own,  or 
any  other  civilized  community.  A  single  outrage  upon  personal 
liberty,  or  a  solitary  murder  may  in  itself  be  considered  a  circum- 
stance of  but  small  importance  when  it  occurs  in  the  ordinary  way 
by  the  hand  of  a  highwayman,  or  midnight  assassin,  but  when  ex- 
tensive associations  of  men  in  their  collective  and  official  character 
do  with  the  utmost  deliberation  and  preconcert  and  in  full  view  of 
the  nature  of  the  act,  with  a  perfect  knowledge  of  civil  law,  and  in 
open  defiance  of  civil  authorily  presume  to  take  upon  themselves 
the  daring  responsibility  of  such  flagrant  iniquity,  it  becomes  an 
event  of  most  portentous  character,  and  deserves  to  be  regarded 
with  universal  solicitude  and  alarm  ;  and  your  committee  think 
with  the  Hon.  Mr.  Rush,  that  "  Morgan's  cause  is  no  common  one. 
It  is  of  great  and  inspiring  magnitude — looked  at  by  itself  it  may 
be  called  detached  and  little,  by  those  who  little  know  how  to 
think,  or  are  determined  not  to  think.-  But  properly  weighed  by 
its  principles  as  well  as  its  facts,  it  is  momentous  as  well  as  appal- 
ling. It  is  no  case  for  county  Courts  but  for  the  Nation.  That  is 
the  proper  tribunal." 

In  the  hap^y  constitution  of  our  country  a  safe  and  sure  remedy 
for  all  political  evils  is  provided.  A  power  is  left  with  the  people 
in  the  exercise  of  which  they  can  without  the  aid  of  the  bayonet, 
or  the  shedding  of  human  blood,  redress  their  wrongs,  and  preserve 
their  liberties,  laws  and  institutions.  The  right  of  elective  fran- 
chise, furnishes  a  powerful  and  efficient  weapon,  wherewith  to 
level  all  unrighteous  combinations,  and  a  saving  energy  is  found  in 
the  strong  and  resistless  voice  of  public  sentiment,  expressed  at  the 
Ballot  Box.  Your  committee  are  deeply  impressed  with  the  con- 
viction that  the  conduct  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  of  this  State  in 
the  case  referred  to,  forms  an  era  in  the  history  of  our  cause,  and 
indicates  that  new  and  more  vigorous  measures  must  be  adopted  and 
pursued  to  exterminate  the  dangerous  power  and  influence  of  an 
Institution,  which  regards  not  the  laws  of  our  country,  or  the  re- 
monstrances of  our  citizens. 

Mild  and  quiet  measures  have  been  tried,  they  have  been  un- 
heeded, and  otir  puny  efforts  have  only  excited  the  contempt  of 
the  Brotherhood.  Inflated  with  their  imaginary  invincibility  they 
laugh  to  scorn  our  feeble  attacks,  proud  in  their  boasted  strength 
they  bid  defiance  "  to  a  world  in  arms."  One  power  there  is  whicl| 
alone  can  make  the  oppressor  tremble,  and  break  the  sceptre  of 
his  unrighteous  dominion.  That  power  is  the  right  and  privilege 
which  every  free  citizen  enjoys  of  recording  his  opinion  at  the  Bal- 
let Box,  to  that^  and  to  thai  alone  do  we  look,  as  affording  a  safe, 
and  certain  antidote  for  the  insidious  poison,  which  Masonry 
has  so  successfully  infused  into  the  body  politic.     That  alope  is  a 


52  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

safe  remedy  for  the  nameless  evils,  which  this  anti-republican  insti- 
tution has  brought  upon  our  otherwise  favored  and  happy  country. 
All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 


On  motion  of  Mr.  Peckham  of  Worcester,  it  was  resolved,  that 
he    State  Antlmasonic  Committee  be  requested  to  inquire  how 
many  Justices  of  the  Peace  and  other  civil  officers  of  this  Common- 
wealth are  adhering  Freemasons,  and  to  report  thereon   through 
the  press  at  a  future  time, 

Mr.  Rice  of  the  Financial  Committee  offered  a  report,  which  was 
read  and  accepted. 

Dr.  Porter  of  the  Committee,  "  to  take  into  consideration  the 
alarming  evils  and  threatening  dangers  to  our  republican  institutions 
from  the  existence  of  an  adherence  to  Masonic  obligations,"  offered 
the  following  report  which  was  read  and  laid  on  the  table. 

REPORT. 

"  When  in  the  course  of  human  events,"  the  accustomed  safe- 
guards of  society  are  destroyed,  the  usual  guarantees  for  the  se- 
cure enjoyment  and  protection  of  life,  liberty,  character,  and  the 
pursuits  of  happiness  are  impaired,  and  an  appeal  to  the  laws  of  the 
land  administered  by  the  constituted  authorities,  for  the  protection 
and  defence  of  injured  innocence  is  fruitless  and  unavailing.  When 
the  crimes  of  murder,  arson,  kidnapping,  perjury  and  violence  go 
unpunished,  and  the  guilty  go  free,  when  the  temple  of  justice  is 
profaned  by  perjury,  and  the  ermine  of  the  judge  menaced  by  con- 
temptuous and  mute  witnesses,  when  the  legal  administration  of 
public  justice  is  paralyzed  and  all  confidence  in  its  protection  is 
gone,  when  the  temple  of  justice  may  well  be  represented  by  the 
virgin  weeping  and  leaning  on  its  broken  columns  and  pouring  forth 
her  lamentations  in  vain  over  its  ruins. 

When  the  press,  which  has  been  in  time  past,  called  freedom's 
Sentinel,  is  palsied  and  dumb,  no  longer  giving  the  alarm  from  free- 
dom's watch-tower,  or  if  uttering  a  word,  it  is  the  traitorous  signal, 
in  this  case,  ''  All  is  well." 

In  this  alarming  state  of  our  boasted  free  country,  clearly  and 
fearfully  exemplified,  in  the  events  which  have  transpired  antece- 
dent and  subsequent  to  the  forcible  abduction  and  atrocious  mur- 
der of  William  Morgan,  a  native  citizen  of^Virginia,  a  former  Cap- 
tain of  a  military  company  in  the  army  of  the  United  States,  and 
fighting  its  battles  at  the  memorable  victory  of  New-Orleans  in 
1815,  and  in  1822  then  residing  at  the  village  of  Batavia,  in  the 
State  of  New-York,  and  entitled  to  the  protection  of  its  laws.  1  he 
fruitless  attempts,  hitherto  after  upward  of  fofe  years  diligent,  pa- 
tient, persevering  efforts  of  its  prosecuting  officers,  backed  with  all 
the  aid  that  legislative  and  executive  influence  would  give.  But 
still  ail  has  been  impotent,  and  justice  has  been  obliged  to  cower 
before  the  menace,   the   power  and   influence  of  a  secret  power, 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  53- 

which  is  above  the  law,  and  the  prosecuting  authorities,  and  which 
now  insultingly,  and  arrogantly  proclaims  its  triumph. 

When  we  see  a  man,  the  murdered  victim  of  his  remorseless  and 
unrelenting  persecutors,  and  all  the  exertions  of  the  administrators 
of  public  justice  contemned,  despised  and  thwarted  by  a  proud,  ar- 
rogant, vindictive,  guilty  and  powerful  aggressor.  Our  sympathies, 
our  best  feelings  are  directed  to  the  honored  few^  who  arise  to  pro- 
tect the  rights,  avenge  the  wrongs  of  feeble  oppressed  humanity. 
Their  cause  animates  the  best  and  holiest  feelings  of  the  human 
heart.  It  is  then  that  the  spirit  of  man,  assumes  its  elevated  pre- 
tensions, a  tone  truly  ethereal.  It  is  then,  that  men  of  independent 
minds,  fearless  honesty,  and  moral  courage,  of  energy  and  decision 
bursts  the  bands  of  diffidence,  uncertainty  and  despair,  and  regard- 
less of  personal  considerations,  move  onward  to  the  discharge  of 
their  duties  to  their  fellow  men  and  their  God,  and  pay  their  hom- 
age, only  to  the  immutable  principle  of  truth,  justice  and  mercy. 
Animated  with  the  consciousness  of  the  justice  of  their  cause,  of  its 
consanguinity  with  every  tie,  that  can  bind  man  to  his  fellow  man, 
they  look  down  from  their  proud  elevation,  with  the  most  profound 
contempt  on  the  guilty  aggressor. 

Taking  counsel  from  these  feelings  and  sentiments,  inspiring  an 
ardent  wish,  to  preserve  our  free  institutions,  and  to  transmit  theni 
to  our  posterity,  in  the  same  purity  and  simplicity,  as  we  have  re- 
ceived them  from  our  fathers,  as  a  sacred  trust  only  as  a  life  estate 
and  to  be  used  without  waste  or  destruction. 

We  have  endeavored,  uninfluenced  by  fear,  favor  or  affection, 
and  without  prejudice,  calmly  and  dispassionately,  to  trace  the 
causes  of  the  alarming  evils  which  exist  in  our  land,  which  has  de- 
graded our  national  character,  polluted  our  land  by  the  shedding  of 
innocent  blood,  and  defiled  the  temples  of  justice,  and  made  the 
forms  of  law  the  sanctuary  and  protection  of  crime,  which  causes 
waters  of  bitterness  to  flow  through  our  streets,  instead  of  those  of 
righteousness,  justice  and  truth,  which  has  destroyed  the  confidence 
of  our  citizens  in  the  securitj^and  protection  of  the  laws.  With  these 
views,  we  have  carefully  watched  the  progress  of  events,  in  the 
State  of  New-York,  the  seat  of  this  unparalleled  outrage  and  mur- 
der, the  trials  before  the  courts,  the  conduct  of  Freemasons,  both 
there  and  here,  the  sympathies  and  feelings,  emphatically  express- 
ed, on  many  occasions  too  distinctly  to  be  soon  forgotten.  And  with- 
out the  fear  of  offending,  or  the  wish  to  inflict  pain,  or  injury  on 
the  persons,  characters  or  feelings  of  any  individual  of  the  Masonic 
Institution.  We  shall  proceed  to  give  our  views  of  the  cause  of 
these  alarming  evils  and  threatening  dangers,  and  the  only  remedy^ 
that  will  dry  up  the  fountain  of  these  bitter  waters,  and  give  secu- 
rity and  stability  to  our  republican  Institutions,  and  confidence  ia 
the  secure,  equal  and  impartial  administration  of  justice,  and  ren- 
der the  laws  of  equal  operation,  over  every  description  of  persons, 
high  or  low,  rich  or  poor,  powerful  or  weak,  and  *"'  a  terror  to  evil 
doers,  and  a  praise  to  those  that  do  well. " 

It  needs  but  little  argument  and  statement  of  facts,  to  demonstrate, 
these  threatening  and  alarming  evils.     We  will  state  those  which 


64  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

have  been  developed,  and  are  established  past  contradiction.  A 
murder  has  been  committed,  a  most  foul,  aggravated  and  premedita- 
ted case,  the  murderers  as  principals  and  accessaries  before  the  fact, 
not  a  few,  men  of  character,  influence  and  standing,  the  deed  not 
done  in  a  moment  of  passion  and  of  frenzy,  but  cool,  premeditated, 
calculating  and  prepared  for,  with  much  meditation  and  counsel, 
and  perpetrated  by  men  of  high  standing  in  society,  as  well  as  with 
the  order,  composed  of  Clergymen,  Lawyers,  Physicians,  Magis- 
trates, Sheriffs,  sworn  to  preserve  the  peace,  and  execute  the  laws, 
the  outrage  ending  in  as  an  inhuman  a  murder  as  ever  was  record- 
ed in  the  annals  of  crime  in  any  country,  and  perpetrated  by  the 
most  blood  tliirsty  banditti.  The  outrage  was  continued  for  a  num- 
ber of  days,  extending  and  continued  through  a  number  of  counties 
inhabited  not  by  wild  men  ofthe  forest,  but  by  a  dense  and  high  spir- 
ited and  enlightened  population.  And  this  violence,  requiring  the 
aid,  concurrence  and  assistance  of  many  individuals,  the  names  of 
many  hundreds,  stand  before  the  world  implicated  in  the  knowledge 
of  tbis  violence  and  murder. 

The  murdered  victim  stands  confessedly  by  Masons  themselves 
accused  of  no  crime,  known  to  our  laws,  his  only  offence  was,  his 
lifting  the  frightful  veil   from  mystery,  wickedness  and  folly. 

Every  one  implicated,  as  principal  or  accessary  before  the  fact, 
are  undeniably  masons.  Every  one  implicated,  as  accessary  after 
the  fact;  every  one,  who  aids,  a-^sists  and  sympathizes  with  the 
guilty,  giving  them  aid  and  comfort,  are  members  of  the  order. 
Whence  is  it,  and  how  is  it,  that  murder,  which  is  so  terrible  a 
secret,  that  it  will  out  at  /os/,  and  can  scarcely  be  kept  in  the  con- 
fines ot  one  guilty  breast,  should  so  long  have  remained  secure  in 
the  guilty  brer^sts  of  so  many,  as  must  have  been  cognisant  of  this 
atrocious  deed  ?  What  magic  charm  has  blinded  the  eyes,  has 
seared  the  conscience,  that  usual  unerring  secret  monitor,  and  made 
them  so  blind  and  so  callous  to  all  the  entreaties  of  suffering,  ex- 
piring humanity — and  so  to  change  the  usual  sympathies  and  feel- 
ings of  men?  It  is  a  solecism,  which  the  disclosures  ofthe  masonic 
obligations,  the  mock  miracles,  the  solemn  mockeries  in  their  pro- 
fane mysteries,  in  the  mystic  conclaves  and  the  infatuation  and 
fanaticism  thereby  engendered,  with  their  barbarous  penalties  and 
their  too  frequent  secret  execution,  can  alone  solve.  In  these  secret 
conclaves  the  initiates  are  taught  to  believe  the  masons  are  a 
peculiar,  select  and  chosen  people,  the  order  patronized  from  times 
of  old,  by  prophets,  priests  and  kings,  the  order  faithful  to  each 
other  on  all  occasions,  ''''  right  or  wrong,  murder  and  treason  not 
excepted."  That  the  masonic  oath  and  obligations  are  paramount 
and  superior  to  every  other  oath  and  obligation,  and  their  secrecy 
is  protected  and  enforced  on  every  mason,  by  ancient  immemorial 
usage  and  custom,  that  no  violator  ever  goes  unpunished — that 
the  sword  of  justice  pursues  and  pierces  the  heart  of  every  traitor 
to  the  masonic  order,  and  that  no  man  will  be  suffered  to  live,  who 
Is  unfaithful  to  his  masonic  obligations,  and  that  the  tongue  of  slan- 
der, abuse  and  vituperation  will  pursue  him,  during  his  whole 
natural  life,  wherever  he  may   go,   and    when   dead,  his  memory 


MASSACHUSETTS  ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  65 

shall  rot,  and  no  trace  or  remembrance  of  him  be  left  with  his 
fellow  men  and  with  masons  especially.  That  offences  against  the 
laws,  committed  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  order,  are  virtues  in 
the  masonic  brother,  and  entitle  him  to  the  appellation  of  "worthy, 
faithful  and  true."  It  is  to  the  influence  of  this  infatuation,  and  of 
an  adherence  to  these  obligations,  and  the  gross  fanaticism  and  infat- 
uation produced  by  their  pernicious  influence,  over  the  minds  of 
masons,  that  the  usual  sources  of  charity,  brotherly  love  and  the 
forgiveness  of  injuries  deeply  implanted  in  the  breast  of  man,  by 
that  God  "in  whom  we  live,  move  and  have  our  being,"  have  been 
dried  up.  And  all  its  purifying  waters  changed  to  those  of  bitter- 
ness, wrath,  envy  and  evil  feelings. 

It  is  through  the  pernicious  influence  of  these  masonic  obliga- 
tions, which  prevented  the  whole  body  of  the  citizens,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  outrage  and]  violence,  from  rising  en  masse, 
and  indentifying  themselves  with  the  constituted  authorities  and 
exerting  their  utmost  efforts  for  the  suppression  of  the  outrage  and 
the  detection  and  condign  punishment  of  the  aggressors.  It  was 
that  influence  which  caused  ireaaon  in  those  sworn  to  afford  protec- 
tion to  the  persecuted  victim,  which  caused  them  to  look  with  com- 
placency on  this  high  handed  violence,  on  the  insulted  and  trampled 
majesty  of  the  laws,  and  to  commit  perjury,  as  regards  their  oaths 
of  office  and  duties  as  citizens.  It  was  that  influence,  which  has 
rendered  witnesses  base  and  perjured,  or  mute  and  contemptuous, 
before  the  courts  in  the  trials  of  the  guilty  offenders,  it  was  that 
influence,  which  has  rendered  futile  all  the  forms  of  indictment  and 
prosecution  on  trial  before  juries,  some  of  whom  adhered  to  these 
obligations,  whereby  the  guilty  have  gone  free.  It  is  this  influ- 
ence, which  has  made  the  trial  by  a  jury  a  mere  mockery,  and  the 
administration  of  justice  has  thereby  been  impeded  and  obstructed. 
It  has  been  that  influence,  which  has  rendered  men  guilty  of  inten- 
tional perjury,  in  attempting  to  sit  on  the  jury  when  they  felt 
within  their  own  hearts,  the  force  of  their  masonic  obligation,  ^^  to 
extricate  a  brother  mason  from  difficulty,  right  or  wrong,"  and 
which  constrained  them  to  become  unfaithful  to  their  oath  to  their 
country,  "  to  decide  without  favor,  affection  or  partiality  between 
the  prisoner  at  the  bar  and  the  people,  according  to  the  law  and 
the  evidence."  It  has  been  that  influence,  which  has  bound  the 
press,  the  usual  herald  of  freedom,  in  its  magic  spell,  its  servile 
chains,  which  has  prevented  the  knowledge  of  this  high-handed 
offence  and  violence,  on  the  liberties  and  life  of  William  Morgan, 
from  flying  like  lightning  through  our  country,  and  in  a  moment 
electrifying  the  people  of  these  States  from  Maine  to  Missouri.  It 
was  this  influence,  which  caused  a  fear  of  creating  an  excite- 
ment among  the  people  in  favor  of  the  wrongs  of  oppressed  hu- 
manity. It  was  this  influence^  which  enshrouded  the  public  mind, 
through  the  silence  of  the  press,  with  masonic  "  caution,  silence, 
secrecy  and  darkness."  It  is  that  influence,  which  now  operates 
on  many  of  our  public  presses,  and  which  has  prevented  the  whole 
facts,  in  the  cases  elicited  judicially  in  the  late  New  York  trials, 
from  being  brought  home  to  the  knowledge  of  every  person  in  the 


56  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

commnnily.  In  what  country  do  we  live,  in  Asia  or  America  ? 
This  state  of  things  smells  strong  of  Turkish  despotism,  where 
no  enquiry  is  made  into  the  executions  of  the  Grand  Seignor— 
none  durst  enquire.  Each  is  contented  to  hug  his  chains,  provi- 
ded they  are  made  of  silver.  No  murders  must  be  enquired  into, 
no  secret  and  mysterious  deaths  developed,  no  missing  cases  re- 
ported, but  the  sovereigns  of  masonry  are  excited,  lest  their  servile 
vassals,  the  hewers  of  wood  and  drawers  of  water  of  masonry, 
should  be  disturbed  in  their  quiet  and  peaceable  drudgery.  No 
sorrow,  no  sympathy  discovered  for  the  unfortunate  victims.  No, 
they  are  arrogant  and  authoritative,  they  must  not  be  enquired 
into,  they  are  but  "  mere  hoaxes"  and  "  humbugs." 

While  so  many  of  our  citizens  act  under  this  delusion,  many 
the  servile  adherents,  the  willing  vassals  of  this  worse  than  Asiatic 
dominion  of  masonry.  What  can  be  done  to  arrest  the  evil  and  to 
preserve  the  liberties  of  our  country  from  being  prostrated,  before 
its  secret  fearful  influence  and  power,  leaving  us  only  the  name  and 
"the  forms  of  freedom,  while  the  substance,  the  reality,  leaving  only 
the  shadow,  is  gone  torever,  being  stolen  away  by  night  by  the 
mystic  conclave  of  the  sworn  brotherhood,  responsible  to  no  known 
public  open  tribunal  for  its  decrees,  its  decisions,  its  secret  execu- 
tions and  its  crimes. 

The  remedy  that  we  would  propose  is,  we  think,  the  only  sure 
corrective  of  these  alarming  evils,  the  only  effectual  preventative, 
against  these  threatening  dangers.  It  is  in  the  hands  of  the  people 
to  be  effected  by  them,  quietly,  peaceably  and  constitutionally,  in 
their  primary  assemblies,  and  solely  at  the  Ballot  Box.  The  cor- 
rect, enlightened  and  careful  use  of  the  right  of  suffrage  there 
possesses  a  redeeming  spirit,  which  is  capable  of  restoring  health 
and  vigor  to  our  Republican  institutions.  Let  our  citizens,  that 
would  live  and  die  freemen,  repair  to  this  Ark  of  refuge,  for  our 
political  safety,  and  there  enregister  their  irrevocable  decree,  that 
an  adherence  to  the  masonic  obligation^  in  any  man,  disqunHjies  him 
J'or  any  office  of  trust,  power,  influence  or  emolument,  in  the  gift  of 
the  people.  Public  sentiment  so  expressed,  will  carry  with  it  force, 
sanction,  validity.  It  will  extract  the  teeth  from  the  monster  ma- 
sonry, and  deprive  it  of  the  power  to  inflict  the  poison  of  its  fangs. 
This  course  must  eventually  arrest  the  evils  of  masonry  and  accele- 
rate the  downfall  of  the  institution,  whose  great  object  has  been, 
to  obtain  unfair  advantages  for  its  members,  by  signs,  grips,  words, 
and  tokens,  and  will  put  an  extinguisher  on  all  such  sinister  hopes 
and  wicked  expectations. 

The  masonic  obligation  by  the  patriotic  exertions  of  W^illiam 
Morgan,  the  unfortunate  victim  and  attestor  of  their  truth,  and  duly 
authenticated  by  the  masonic  institution,  of  its  "own  free  will  and 
accord,"  with  its  own  bloody  seal,  and  the  disclosures  of  the  higher 
degrees,  by  others,  influenced  by  his  praise  worthy  example,  are 
before  the  world,  their  fearful  import,  alarming  spirit  and  tendency, 
have  been  judicially  established,  and  their  correctness  fully  proved, 
and  too  distinctly  illustrated  by  the  practice  and  crimes  of  the 
faithful  adherents  of  the  order,  to  need  further  illustration.  Those 
who  in  the  dark,  and  as  the  sworn  brotherhood  say,   of  their   ''  own 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  67 

free  will  and  accord,"  went  into  the  secret  conclave,  and  took 
these  oaths,  may  now  in  the  open  day  come  out  and  not  remain  the 
partakers  in  the  sins  of  the  institution,  sustained,  emancipated  and 
disenthralled  by  enlightened  public  sentiment  and  correct  moral 
feeling,  without  having  their  motives  impugned,  or  their  characters 
assailed,  except  from  masons,  whose  masonic  censures  are  praises, 
and  whose  masonic  praises  are  censures  and  disgrace. 

And  if  there  are  any  high-minded,  virtuous  men,  who,  on  a  full 
examination,  should  hesitate,  we  would  entreat  them  to  consider 
this  subject,  candidly,  carefully  and  discreetly.  Why  should  they 
continue  to  lend  their  names  to  an  institution,  sought  for  by  them 
to  gratify  no  sinister  motives,  or  to  acquire  unfair  advantages?  What 
utility  has  the  institution  ever  been  to  any  country  during  its  age 
of  114  years,  throughout  the  civilized  world?  If  it  has  been  ever 
to  any  individual  a  shield,  might  it  not  with  equal  facility  have  be- 
come a  two  edged-sword  ?  Has  it  not  been  in  most  republics,  states, 
kingdoms  and  empires,  in  Europe  and  the  new  republic  of  Mexico 
in  South  America,  a  source  of  constant  broil,  sometimes  between 
different  lodges  of  the  charitable  brotherhood  ?  Has  it  not  caused 
trouble  and  vexation  to  the  rulers  and  magistrates,  much  caution 
and  vigilance  in  most  of  them,  and  an  entire  and  complete  inter- 
diction in  others  ?  Will  all  its  boasted  charities,  its  moral  lectures, 
a  mere  pretence,  be  but  as  the  dust  in  the  balance,  compared  with 
the  positive  evils  of  this  institution? 

We  well  know  that  the  unusual  situation  in  which  we  are 
placed,  by  the  secret  usurpations  of  masonry,  the  proposed  measures 
and  responsibilities  we  must  assume  in  discharging  faithfully  our 
duty  to  our  country,  and  as  the  tax  or  price  on  the  enjoyment  of 
the  continuance  of  its  freedom  are  imposed  on  us,  by  no  ordinary 
considerations,  the  measures  proposed  will  cause  offence  to  many 
individuals,  and  incur  the  vengeance,  malevolence,  angry  passions, 
the  slander  and  abuse  of  the  adherents  of  the  order,  capable  of  be- 
ing directed  and  managed  by  the  efforts  of  a  few^  and  possessing  all 
the  means  of  acting  in  concert  and  in  secret,  of  "striking  and  con- 
cealing the  hand,"  these  are  well  understood  and  estimated. 

But  we  can  make  no  surrender  of  personal  honor  and  indepen- 
dence, truth  and  patriotism,  to  accommodate  the  blind  servility  of 
the  masonic  empire.  Who  gave  it  dominion  over  us?  We  can 
make  no  sacrifice  of  the  duty  we  owe  our  country,  our  children 
and  our  God,  to  gain  the  favor  or  the  smiles  of  any  of  the  servile 
adherents  to  masonic  obligations,  ceremonies,  wickedness  and 
folly. 

The  safety  of  our  republic  is  the  supreme  law.  And  with  an 
eye  steadily  fixed  to  preserve  the  independence  of  our  country, 
the  freedom,  the  spirit  and  the  principles  of  its  republican  institu- 
tions, to  secure  the  equal,  impartial  and  prompt  administration  of 
justice,  the  purity  of  our  elections  and  all  the  rights  of  free,  un- 
biased suffrage,  we  are  determined,  through  evil  report  and  good  re- 
port, to  put  forth  our  utmost  efforts  to  effect,  peaceably  and  con- 
stitutionally, according  to  the  laws,  the  entire  abolition  of  masonry 
in  our  country,  at  whatever  hazard  to  our  lives,  fortunes,  or  char- 
8 


68  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVEKTIOST. 

acter,  which  may  be    incurred  from  the  efforts  of  the  vassals  of 
masonic  despotism. 

In  taking  this  course  at  the  ballot  box,  dictated  and  approved  by 
a  full  consideration  of  the  errors  and  losses  occasioned  by  a  relaxa- 
tion of  an  adherence  to  the  great  aptimasonic  principle  of  masonic 
disqualification  for  office,  we  earnestly  entreat  our  fellow  citizens 
to  examine  the  subject,  and  act  according  to  the  dictates  of  truth 
and  reason,  regardless  of  personal  considerations,  and  make  one 
general  effort,  one  and  all  to  sacrifice  all  personal  feelings  on  the 
altar  of  patriotism,  and  by  one  mighty  effort,  to  shake  from  us,  this 
degrading  influence  and  dominion — the  approbrium,  which  has 
affixed  a  bloody  stain  on  our  republic,  which  all  the  waters  of  Niag- 
ara's famed    flood  can  never  wash  out. 

We  have  every  reason  from  past  History  to  encourage  us,  that 
truth  will  triumph  over  error.  Where  are  the  Eleusinian  myste- 
ries? They  are  all  revealed  in  History,  in  the  same  chapter  with 
ils  debaucheries,  its  crimes  and  folly.  Where  are  the  disciples  of 
Manicheus,  their  temples  and  proselyting  mystagogues  scattered 
and  extended  over  the  whole  civilized  world  for  several  centuries  ? 
Gone,  forever  gone.  Their  oaths,  signs,  words  and  tokens,  now 
only  exist  in  History  as  an  evidence  of  the  delusion  and  crimes  of 
those  errorists. 

Some  may  object  that  the  exercise  of  the  proposed  measure  at 
the  Ballot  Box  will  exclude  men,  perhaps  some  friend  or  relative, 
who  is  considered  honest,  meritorious,  and  above  the  influence  of 
unworthy  motives  ofanykindor  nature.  To  this  we  would  reply, 
that  all  general  rules  and  principles  are  liable  to  exceptions,  but 
these  exceptions  must  not  form  the  general  rule,  that  very  few 
citizens,  worthy  and  well  qualified  for  places  of  power  and  trust, 
who  will  examine  the  subject,  will  be  wanting  in  their  duty  to 
their  country  on  this  occasion.  If  they  will  not  examine  the  subject, 
they  "  do  not  add  to  their  virtue,  knowledge  ;"  if  they  are  impelled 
by  personal  considerations,  interests  or",  fear,  to  come  out  and  act 
with  decision,  they  are  ''  weighed  in  the  balance  and  found  want- 
ing" in  manly  courage,  independence,  public  spirit,  to  be  qualified 
to  be  the  watchful  and  vigilant  guardians,  to  take  care  "  that  the 
republic  receive  no  detriment."  If  they  choose  to  adhere  to  mason- 
ry, "  it  is  of  their  own  free  will  and  accord."  The  calm  duties 
of  retired  life  are  more  suitable  to  their  feelings  and  sentiment*, 
and  the  republic  will  be  the  gainer,  by  reforming  the  administra- 
tion of  the  selfish,  sordid,  the  vacillating,  time-serving  character, 
and  bring  ijito  the  service,  the  uncompromising,  the  able,  watch- 
ful and  effective  guardians  of  public  liberty  and  Freedom,  men,  ''who 
dare  to  be  honest  in  the  worst  of  times.  In  collecting  soldiers  for 
active  service,  no  one  should  complain  if  he  was  passed  by,  be- 
cause he  had  broken  a  limb  by  accident,  or  by  incautiously  "  taking 
a  leap  in  the  dark."  In  this  age  of  wonders  and  period  of  revolu- 
tions in  Europe,  and  when  our  own  institutions  are  assaulted  by 
a  secret  power,  arrogantly  claiming  the  power  and  ability,  that 
"^  whether  for  good  or  for  evil,  we  must  take  it  as  it  is,"  "  it  must 
he  permitted  to  manage  its  own  affairs  in  its  own  way,"  and  the 
"  world  united  in  arms  cannoit  put  it  down."     A  power  so  high  it 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  69 

cannot  be  reached,  but  peradventure,  its  foundations  are  not  so 
deep  but  that  they,  by  valor,  perseverance  and  diligence,  may  be 
approached  and  sapped.  For  this  effective  service,  the  republic 
want  vigilant,  faithful,  active,  vigorous  men,  working  men — no 
drones,  lame,  halt  or  blind.  Those  who  have  '^  taken  a  leap  in 
the  dark,''  and  have  become  shorn  of  their  locks,  by  the  masonic 
harlot,  and  deprived  of  their  eflfective  power,  can  make  no  com- 
plaint, nor  have  cause  to  make  any  if  they  are  passed  by  and 
neglected  by  the  people. 

We  would  entreat  our  fellow  citizens  to  exert  themselves  to  ex- 
tend the  information  and  to  strive  to  enlighten  the  public  mind  on 
the  nature,  tendency,   spirit  and  principles  of  the  masonic  obliga- 
tions.    We  do  know  many    high-minded  and   honorable  men,  who 
have  long  been  convinced  of  the  gross  imposture,  and  have  abhor- 
red its  oaths,  its  ceremonies  and  crimes,  but  their  lips  were  sealed, 
through  fear  of  the  mystic,  sworn,    infatuated  brotherhood.     They 
are  looking  with  impatience    for  the  manifestation  of  public  senti- 
ment,  sufficient  to   shield    them    on,  their  open  avowal  from  the 
vengeance  of  the  order,  their  slander  and  rage,  and    for  their  chil- 
dren's sake,  they  cannot  now  incur  the  great  personal  sacrifice  at- 
tendant on  the  loss  of  their  business,  and  the  derangement  of  their 
business  concerns,  the  certain  consequences  of  being  fjiithful  to  the 
country^  which  is  treason    to  the    masonic  empire,  to  be  followed 
with  the  most   condign   punishment,   followed    and  pursued  by  all 
the  adherents  of  the  order,  and  sure  to  pursue  them  wherever  they 
may  go.     There  are  in  the  secret   conclave,  leaking  vessels,  who 
confidentially   give   secret  information  of  the    movements  of  the 
secret  conclave,  and  the  wonder-working  of  the    operatives  on  this 
Babel  of  wickedness    and  folly ;    in    this    way  they    are   rendering 
essential  service  and  are  making  expiation  and  atonement  for  their 
past  instrumentality    in  assisting  to    raise  the  elevated  and  danger- 
ous monument,  founded    in  the  sand,  and    by  assisting  in  taking  it 
down  and  exploring  its  secret,  winding  labyrinth,  they   may  much 
assist  to  bring  the  poor  deluded  inmates  to    the  light,  and  restore 
them  to  their   country.     And    this   monument   now   tottering  and 
threatening  to  fall,  and  overwhelm  in  its  ruins,  not  only  the  wonder- 
working  deluded  operatives  themselves,   hurried    on    with  their 
work,    labor  and    refreshments,    and  insensible    to  their  imminent 
dangers,  but  likewise  dangerous  to  those  attracted   to  its    vicinage 
by  ardent  curiosity  or  the    wondering  gaze  of  stupidity,  promises 
much  through  their  continued  assistance,  to  be  quietly  taken  down, 
and  save  its    deluded  inmates,  workmen,    and    their  friends,  from 
danger  and  harm. 

And  in  this  season  of  alarm,  of  danger  and  trial,  may  every  good 
citizen  endeavor  to  instil  into  the  public  mind  an  elevated  moral 
feeling,  a  correct  enlightened  public  sentiment,  that  the  people 
may  become  awake  to  the  dangers  that  threaten,  and  the  means  of 
escape,  and  incited  to  put  forth  their  utmost  exertions,  by  all  lawful 
means,  to  fortify  as  many  brave  and  patriotic  hearts  as  possible, 
to  do  all  that  men  can  do,  for  the  preservation  of  our  country. 

And  with  a  firm  reliance  on  the  God  of  our  fathers,  His  continued 
favor  and   blessing   on  all  our  lawful  endeavors   in  the  cause    ojf 


62  MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 

stereotype  such  important  publications,  such  as  the  oaths,  obliga- 
tions and  penalties  of  the  several  degrees  of  freemasonry,  as  shall 
be  found  most  necessary  to  instruct  the  people,  in  the  nature,  ten- 
dency, and  spirit  of  the  masonic  institution.  For  it  is  vain  to  think 
that  "  Freemasonry  will  die  of  itself"  It  is  to  much  allied  to  the 
selfish  desires  of  the  human  heart  to  expect  this.  And  we  never 
can  be  safe,  as  a  Nation,  from  its  influence,  even  if  driven  from  this 
land  by  the  united  voice  of  the  people,  loaded  with  the  language  of 
scorn  and  execration,  while  it  continues  to  exist  among  other  Na- 
tions, with  whom  we  have  intercourse.  If  in  our  day  and  genera- 
tion the  victory  is  achieved,  the  moment  the  sons  of  men  slumber 
and  sleep,  it  will  again  steal  on  their  confiding  security,  and  silently 
overspread  the  land,  like  an  overwhelming  flood.  Therefore  it 
is  all  important,  that  the  present  generation  should  be  taught,  one 
and  all,  the  danger  of  Secret  Societies,  and  an  abhorrence  of  the 
oaths  of  Masonry,  and  prepare  them  to  teach  it  to  their  children, 
and  so  from  generation  to  generation. 

The  course  is  dictated  from  the  necessity  of  the  case,  as  the  Press 
of  our  country  is  in  a  state  of  factitious  dumbness,  and  is  either  silent 
on  the  subject  of  masonry,  or  lends  an  influence  unfavorable  to  the 
promulgation  of  truth  and  the  detection  of  error.  To  supply  this 
lamentable  and  alarming  deficiency  in  the  usual  channels  of  com- 
municating knowledge,  and  to  produce  union  of  feeling  and  senti- 
ment on  this  subject,  your  Committee  recommend,  for  the  consid- 
eration of  this  Convention,  the  raising  a  Publishing  Fund,  by  con- 
tribution, under  the  direction  of  the  Antimasonic  State  Committee, 
for  the  purpose  of  combining  the  means  and  eflbrts,  to  extend  the 
knowledge  of  the  designs  and  the  deceptive  arts  of  Freemasonry 
into  every  part  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  to  assist  our  fellow 
citizens  in  other  parts  of  the  United  States  engaged  in  this  National 
.cause. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 


Mr.  Thacher  from  the  Committee  on  Resolutions  made  a  report 
.which  was  read   and  accepted. 

RESOLUTIONS. 

Resolvedy  That  our  civil  institutions,  and  our  political  and  religious 
jights  are  based  on  truth,  which  never  shuns  the  light,  nor  seeks  to  Gonceal 
its  operations — therefore  those  associations  or  combinations  which  bind 
by  oath  to  perpetual  secrecy,  and  seek  the  covert  of  night,  cannot  be 
vCongenial  with  the  spirit  and  fundamental  principles  of  a  Republican  Gov- 
jernment. 

Resolved,  That  the  Constitution  of  Masonry,  as  it  exists  in  this  coun- 
try, (founded  upon  its  oaths  of  secrecy  and  of  allegiance  to  a  power  un- 
known to  the  laws  ;  sanctioned  as  are  those  oaths  by  barbarous  and  san- 
guinary penalties,)  essentially  establishes  a  distinct,  independent,  and  irre- 
sponsible government  in  the  heart  of  this  Republic— therefore,  its  organi- 
zation and  existence  are  indirect  opposition  to  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States. 

Resolved,  That  zealous  adhering  Masons,  having  sworn  unqualified 
allegiance  to  a  power  of  the  above  description  ;  so  long  as  they  persist  in- 


MASSACHUSETTS   ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION.  63 

acknowledging  that  allegiance,  do  thereby  disqualify  themselves  for  the 
faithful  and  impartial  discharge  of  any  office  of  power  or  trust,  under  our 
National  or  State  governments. 

Resolved,  That  the  rites  and  obligations  of  Freemasonry,  as  they  have 
been  disclosed  by  seceding  masons,  and  proved  in  courts"  of  law,  by  the 
most  conclusive  testimony,  are  subversive  of  the  rights  of  humanity  and 
the  equal  operation  of  the  laws  ;  opposed  to  the  principles  of  moral  virtue, 
and  peculiarly  adapted  to  foster  and  protect  crime. 

Resolved,  That  as  Freemasons  have  sustained  and  are  sustaining  their 
distinct  and  independent  government,  chiefly  by  that  franchise  which  our 
political  institutions  guarantee  to  our  own  citizens  who  acknowledge  alle- 
giance to  but  one  human  power,  therefore,  it  is  not  only  lawful  but  the 
imperious  duty  of  citizens  faithful  to  the  laws  and  the  constitution,  to  use 
their  franchise  (which  they  have  not  alienated)  in  order  to  check  and  ulti- 
mately suppress  this  secret  political  domination. 

Whereas  Freemasonry  claims  to  be  religious,  while  its  fundamental 
principles  are  opposed  to  the  precepts  of  the  gospel,  and  the  duty  we  owe 
to  our  country,  therefore 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  view  with  regret  and  disapprobation 
the  direct  or  tacit  encouragement  rendered  to  that  institution  by  many 
the  Clergy  and  other  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  in  almost  everjr, 
religious  denomination.* 

Resolved,  That  as  no  Lodge,  Chapter,  or  Encampment,  Grand  Lodge, 
Grand  Chapter,  or  Grand  Encampment,  has  expelled,  censured  or  dis- 
countenanced any  individual  or  individuals,  of  the  numerous  members  of 
those  bodies,  who  have  been  tried  or  convicted  of  conspiracy  in  the  abduc- 
tion of  William  Morgan,  followed  by  his  murder,  by  such  members  or 
their  brethren  ;  therefore  we  have  the  right,  in  strict  justice,  to  charge 
the  abduction  and  murder  of  that  citizen  upon  the  Masonic  Fraternity^ 
as  the  legitimate  operation  of  the  principles  of  the  Order  to  which  they 
adhere. 

Resolved,  That  this  Convention  duly  appreciates  and  highly  approves 
the  meritorious  services  of  those  members  of  the  Massachusetts  Legisla- 
ture, during  its  past  session,  who  opposed  the  attempts  of  the  Masonic 
Institution  to  obtain  an  extension  of  Legislative  patronage. 


*  The  extensive  communion  of  tlie  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  the  whole  So- 
ciety of  Friends  are  free  from  this  imputation.  The  former  do  not  admit  of  Freema- 
flonry  in  their  Clergy  or  Churches  :  and  the  latter  for  many  years,  have  made  a  con- 
nexion with  the  Masonic  Society  an  invariable  cause  of  exclusion  from  their  meetings^ 


On  motion  of  Mr.  Walker  of  Suffolk. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  presented  to  the 
Hon.  the  Mayor  and  Aldermen  of  the  City  of  Bostan,  for  the  use  of 
Faneuil  Hall  on  this  occasion. 

On  motion  of  the  Hon.  Mr.  Odiome  of  Suffolk, 

Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  be  presented  to  the 
Hon.  Timothy  Fuller,  for  the  able  and  dignified  roanncF  in  which 
he  has  presided  over  its  deliberations. 


64  MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTIOff. 

Mr  Fuller  rose  and  addressed  the  Convention,  in  substance  as 
follows  : 

Gentlemen  of  the  Convention, — 

The  lionour  of  presiding  in  this  truly  patriotic  and  respectable  assem- 
bly, being  equally  ilnsought  and  unexpected,  would  not  fail  to  inspire  on 
my  part  a  high  sense  of  obligation,  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  station 
with  fidelity  and  zeal.  The  harmony  of  action  which  has  been  so  emi- 
nently displayed  by  its  members,  the  natural  result  of  the  laudable  and  ex- 
alted objects,  which  we  assembled  to  accomplish,  has  rendered  those  du- 
ties easy  to  myself,  and  I  am  gratified  to  believe,  that  they  have  been  wit- 
nessed with  favor  and  approbation  by  the  Convention. 

In  expres5?ing  my  thanks,  for  the  expression  by  your  vote  of  that  appro- 
bation, permit  me  particularly  to  acknowledge  the  kindness  of  the  iion- 
ourable  mover  ;  and  to  add  ray  earnest  and  devout  hope,  that  you  will 
experience  in  returning  to  your  constituents  and  to  your  homes,  the  de- 
light and  satisfaction  of  having  essentially  contributed,  by  your  disinter- 
ested labours,  to  the  emancipation  of  our  country  from  a  great  and  invet- 
erate evil.  May  your  future  efforts,  encouraged  by  the  good  and  virtu- 
ous, be  finally  crowned  with  complete  success,  and  receive  the  unlailing 
reward  of  generous  sacrifices  and  persevering  labours  for  the  happiness  of 
mankind. 

On  motion, 

Voted,  That  the  doings  of  this  Convention  be  committed  to  the 
State  Committee,  to  be  revised  and  published  under  their  direction; 

Prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr  Thacher  of  Norfolk. 

The  Convention  adjourned  sine  die. 


L.IST    OP    DELEGATES 

TO    THE 

Massachusetts  antimasonic  convention, 


SUFFOLK  COUNTY 


John  D.  Williams 
George  Odiome 
Jacob  Hall 
Dr.  Abner  Phelps 
Henry  Gassett 
William  Marston 
Daniel  Weld 
Jonathan  French 
Benjamin  W.  Lamb 
Benjamin  V;  French 
John  P.  Whitwell 
Thomas  Walley 
Joel  Thayer 
Ephraim  Hall 
Ebenezer  Clough 
Israel  Ames 
Thomas  Barnes 
Dr.  Isaac  F.  Appleton 
Amasa  Walker 
Nathaniel  F.  Ames 
Dr.  Isaac  Porter 
Silas  Pierce 
Amos  Farnsworth 
Noah  Lincoln 
Simon  K.  Hewins 
John  Sullivan 
Jonathan  Carleton 
David  Tilden 
Samuel  D.  Greene 
Thomas  A.  Davis 
Israel  Martin 
Richard  S.  Roberts 
George  Sutherland 

John  Reed,  Jr. 
Samuel  Gulliver 
Aaron  Lincoln 
Luther  Short 
John  Burrage 
William  Coffin 
Micah  H.  Rugbies 
Asa  P.  French 
Philip  R.  Bennett 
I>uther  Lincoln 
9 


Horatio  N.  Crane 
Stephen  Child,  Jr. 
Sargent  S.  Littlehale 
Martin  Packard 
Caleb  Stimson 
Daniel  Gregg 
Otis  Tileston 
Daniel  Ballard 
Edward  Smith 
Isaac  F.  Rowe 
James  Pike 
William  Simonds 
Ezra  Chamberlain 
Moses  Whitney,  Jr. 
Aaron  Bancroft 
George  Williams 
Joshua  Norton 
Thomas  Warren 
George  W.  Adams 
James  Cheever 
Josiah  Hait 
George  Gibson 
Daniel  Dickinson 
Joseph  Urann 
John  Marsh 
Samuel  Stimson 
Amos  Wood 
Stephen  Bates 
Nathaniel  Budd 
Benjamin  Sweetser 
Daniel  Wild,  Jr. 
Newell  Withington— 

BRISTOL  COUNTY. 

£ddy  Lincoln 
Rodney  French 
Moses  Richardson 
Jonathan  Peck 
Charles  A.  Morton 
Joseph  DurfeCj  Jr. 
James  Dickerman 
Sampson  Perkins 
Simeon  White,  Jr. 
A  bner  B.  Giffojii 


-65 


66 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 


PLYMOUTH  COUNTY. 

Horace  Ames, 
Micah  Pool 
Abner  Curtis 
Elijah  Kingman 
Lysander  Hcvari 
Elijah  Ames 


Isaiah  Alden 

Henry  Soule 

"William  Morse 

Joseph  Chamberlain.  Jr. 

L.  Smith 

John  B,  Turner 

Samuel  Tolman,  Jr. 

yf */  t    :  HAMPDEN  COUNTY 

John  Hoar 

HAMPSHIRE  COUNTY. 
Jonathan  Davis  Martin  Kingman 

Rev.  Augustus  B.  Reed  Charles  Starkweather 

Nathaniel  Tower 


WORCESTER  COUNTY. 


Rev.  Joseph  Goff 
Gen.  Caleb  Burbank 
Joseph  Cloyes 
Jonathan  Gary 
John  Ho  hart 
Asaph  Rice 
Lovett  Peters 
Thomas  W.  Ward,  Jr. 
Stephen  P.  Gardner 


H.  Rock  wood 
Gardner  Burbank 
Abel  Goodall 
Charles  Board  man 
John  Johnson 
Silas  Henry 
Zebulon  Gary 
Robert  Peckham 


NORFOLK  COUNTY. 


Hon.  John  Bailey 
Col.  Edward  Foster 
Oliver  Davenport 
Henry  G.  Dnrell 
Otis  Shopard 
Isaac  Howe 
John  Heath 
Samuel  Langley 
Nathan  Smith 
Francis  Brinley 
Aaron  D.  Williams 
Mark  P.  Smith 
Gilman  Hook 
Ebenezer  Wild 
Dr.  Appleton  Hows 
Lemuel  Humphrey 
Asa  Webb 
Christopher  Webb 
Vinson  Tirrell 
Abner  W.  Paine 
Richard  Ciapp 
Pliny  Bingham 
Hsritnan  Mann 
Abner  Ellis 
John  Guild 
Joseph  Clarke 
Daniel  Chickering- 
Asaph  Churchill 
Seth  D.  Whitney 
Joseph  Ellis 


Joseph  Morton 
Joseph  Porter 
Moses  Thacher 
Ebenezer  Blake 
Lebeus  Porter 
Elisha  A.  Jones 
Samuel  Allen 
Charles  Packard 
Noah  Curtis 
Abner  W' illet 
Micah  Orcutt 
Thomas  Taylor 
Micah  W^iite 
Seth  Mann 
Zenas  French 
Elijah  Adams 
Isaac  Honon 
Joseph  Downts 
Jedediah  Tucker 
Tisdale  Drake 
D.  R.  Lalhrop 
Luther  Metcalf 
Lemuel  D.  He  wins 
Joseph  Bugbee 
Enoch  Hewitt 
Aaron  Mason 
Christopher  Slocumb 
Hammond  Rogers 
Henry  J.  Turner 
Siephen  Sanford 


MASSACHUSETTS    ANTIMASONIC    CONVENTION. 


67 


Epaphras  Hoyt 
Noah  Wells 
Michael  M'Clennan 
David  Purrington 
Rufus  Day 


FRANKLIN  COUNTY. 

William  Smith 
Isaac  Woodbury 
Jonathan  Brown 
Ephraim  Williams 
Edmund  Langley 
MIDDLESEX  COUNTY. 


Irad  Fitch 

Abijah  Munroe 

Charles  Gordon 

Edwin  Munroe 

Abraham  R.  Thompson 

Timothy  Fuller  (President) 

Francis  Bowman 

Samson  Tarbell 

F.  A.  Staples 

William  Chaplin 

JohnB.  Merriam 

Ebenezer  Smith 

Cyrus  Smith 

Eliab  Parter,  Jr. 

Peter  Sanborne 

Amos  Evans 

Ambrose  Kingman 

Nathan  Adams 

Nathaniel  Jaqueth 


ESSEX 


Winthrop  Newhall 
William  B.  Breed 
Stephen  Oliver 
Jonathan  Buffum 
Jonathan  Stone 
William  Phillips 
Amos  King 
William  Bassett 


Rufus  Straton 
Stephen  Pope 
David  Tuttle 
Charles  B.  Davis 
Timothy  Johnson 
Josiah  Bacon 
Joseph  Bacon 
Elijah  Adams 
Dr.  N.  Cutler 
Burrage  Yale 
James  Steel 
John  Clarke 
George  Coolidge 
Thomas  Barnes 
Nahum  Hardy 
Amos  Harrington 
Ephraim  Stetson 
Alpheus  Bigelow,  Jr. 

COUNTY. 

F.  S.  Newhall 
Joshua  Hawks 
Benjamin  Coleman 
Stephen  Barker,  2d 
M.  C.  Pratt 
James  Pratt 
David  Fuller 


Whole  number  present  245. 


HONORARY  MEMBERS. 

B.  F.  Hallettj  of  Providence,  R.  l]  Luther  Metcalf,  Med  way,  Mass. 

Allen  Partridge,   Bellingham  ;  Stephen   Sanford,  ;  Avery  Allyn, 

of  New  York  ;  Abijah  Bloodgood,  Boston  ;  Allen  Newell,  Brookfield  j 
James  Allen,  Warren  Miller,  Lockport,  N.  Y.3  Artemas  Lane,  Munson  , 
Mr.  Ranson,  of  Vermont — 11. 


:» 


APPENDIX. 


LETTER  TO  MR.   RUSH. 

BosTox,  21  Mat,  1831. 

Ho.M.   RiCHAKU   Ri;sH — 

'Sir — The  Convention  of  Delegates  from  the  various  parts  of  this  Com- 
monwealth, lately  assembled  in  this  city  to  adopt  such  measures  as  might 
conduce  to  the  suppression  or  counteraciion  of  Freemasonry,  have  deputed 
the  undersigned,  as  their  organs,  to  express  to  you  the  high  sense  enter- 
tained by  themselves  and  by  the  numerous  class  of  their  fellow  citizens, 
whom  they  represented  in  that  body,  of  your  powerful  and  eloquent  ex- 
position in  your  recent  letter,  of  the  same*  portentous  evil.  The  infatua- 
tion of  a  numerous  bod}' ol  men  in  a  free  country  and  in  an  enlightened 
state  of  society,  which  could  trample  upon  the  rights  of  humanity  and 
silence  the  voice  of  reason  and  the  suggestions  of  conscience,  so  far  as  to 
shed  the  blood  of  its  victim,  is  by  your  pen  depicted  in  colors  so  glowing, 
as  to  impress  conviction  upon  every  mind. 

It  must  inspire  our  fellow  citizens  through  the  Union,  with  increasing 
confidence  in  the  ultimate  success  as  well  as  in  the  rectitude  of  their  cause, 
when  they  find  themselves  sustained  by  the  sagacity,  learning,  and  experi- 
ence ot  the  most  eminent  statesmen  and  scholars  of  our  country.  If  the 
Press  lias  been  bribed  or  awed  into  silence,  and  has  suffered  the  community 
to  slumber  in  delusive  security  with  an  enemy  lurking  among  them  and 
clandestinely  seizing  the  strong  holds  of  their  liberty  ;  it  is  to  fhe  wisdom, 
and  virtue,  and  eloquence  of  those,  whose  counsels  have  hitherto  always 
been  heard  with  deference  and  followed  with  success,  that  the  people  must 
look  to  enlighten  and  to  guide  them. 

While  we  recoil  with  horror  at  the  depravity  and  wickedness,  which 
led  to  the  immolation  of  a  devoted  martyr  by  a  horde  of  desperate  ruffians, 
instigated  by  a  iraternit}^  arrogating  to  itself  the  privileges  of  despotic 
power  over  its  deluded  subjects;  and  believe  with  you,  that  violations  of 
private  and  personal  right  less  flagrant  would  in  the  glorious  era  of  our 
early  history,  even  in  the  absence  of  other  grievances,  have  kindled  the 
flame  of  revoiuiion  ;  permit  us  to  advert  to  other  evils,  which  have  long 
existed,  though  but  partially  perceived  by  the  community,  in  which  we 
live,  and  which  have  arisen  and  grown  uj)  in  the  exuberant  soil  of  Free- 
Oiasonry.  Not  to  mention  the  prod.gal  waste  of  time,  nor  the  consurap 
tionof  the  means  required,  for  purposes  of  Charity,  in  vain  display  or 
convivial  indulgences^,  we  cannot  but  regard  the  process  of  induction  and 
initiation  through  the  various  degrees  of  the  craft,  as  unfolding  a  series  of 
ceremonies,  equally  puerile  and  degrading.  These  are  objections  to  the  or- 
der of  masonry,  which  are  chiefly  confined  to  the  members  themselves,  and 
to  their  families.  There  are  others,  which  reach  the  whole  community,  and 
which  tend  to  contaminate  the  streams  of  social  intercourse,  and  to  poison 
the  sources  of  confidence  and  integrity  in  every  part.  In  every  city  and 
village  the  combined  support  and  patronage  of  an  affiliated  corps,  known 
to  each  other  by  concerted  si;?nals  of  recognition,  but  unknown  to  all  beside, 


LETTEB    TO    MB.    RUSH.  69 

acting  ia  concert  against  the  unconscious  ranks  of  their  lellow  citizens, 
must  speedily  produce  the  most  striiiing  results,  in  elevating  the  objects  of 
their  preference  to  office  and  wealth,  and  in  depiessing  their  comjietitors 
in  the  same  j)roportion. 

Such  a  course  oi' action  and  such  results  have  long  been  discernable 
through  the  wide  extent  Of  masonic  influence.  Nor  is  it  doubted,  that 
advantages  of  the  nature  alluded  to  have  been  among  the  strongest  allure- 
ments, especially  to  youthful  and  aspiring  candidates,  to  seek  its  protection 
and  its  aid  in  the  acquisition  of  patronage  and  promotion,  to  the  exclusion 
of  others  of  equal  or  superior  pretensions,  but  whose  merits  have  thus 
been  left  to  languish  in  obscurity  and  despondence.  The  strong  tempta- 
tion thus  held  out  to  seize  the  fruit  without  the  labor  of  its  cultivation  has 
probably  been  the  chief  incentive  to  the  votaries  of  the  order.  The  tedi- 
ous repetition  of  senseless  forms  and  the  endurance  of  degrading  mummeries 
wouk]  never  have  been  submitted  to  by  so  many  aspirants,  from  mere 
curiosity  to  explore  the  vaunted  mysleries  of  the  craft,  without  the  stimu- 
lus of  benefits,  more  certain  and  substantial.  Here  too  we  may  easily 
discern  the  real  magnet,  which  even  now  sustains  and  holds  together  the 
congregated  massof  freemasons  through  our  land,  overcoming  the  strong 
disapprobation  daily  more  audible  in  the  utterance  of  public  opinion.  Of 
public  opinion  masonry  has  no  fear  ;  for  its  decrees  masonry  has  no  res- 
pect. Arrayed  in  panoply  of  mysterious  temper,  shrouded  in  impenetra- 
ble secresy,  surrounded  by  thousands  of  blind  adherents,  and  in  posses- 
sion of  the  strong  holds  of  power  and  patronage,  she  liurls  defiance  and 
threatens  destruction  to  her  assailants.  "  She  fears  nothing  from  violence, 
for  she  has  every  means  to  counteract,  defeat  and  punish  it." 

To  intimate  the  possibility  that  masonic  oaths  and  obligations  have  en- 
tered the  halls  of  justice,  and  mingled  their  abominations  in  the  purity  of 
its  administration,  has  been  thought  too  bold  a  suggestion.  And  surely 
the  quiet  of  society  must  be  fatally  disturbed,  if  the  suspicion  is  awaken- 
ed, that  the  security  of  our  property,  and  our  lives  is  to  be  sported  with  by 
such  pernicious  influences.  Yet  certainly  the  murderers  of  one  victim 
have  been  screened  by  those  influences.  Hence  it  is  evident  the  danger 
exists,  and  hence  the  vigilance  of  all,  who  seek  their  rights  in  Courts  of 
Justice,  is  inevitably  aroused,  and  their  eye  anxiousl.y  roves  through  the 
list  of  those,  who  are  to  deternu'ne  the  controversy.  Beyond  the  imme- 
diate limits  of  the  scenes  alluded  to  in  a  sister  Stated  these  dangerous  ten- 
dencies of  masonic  obligations  have  not  been  equally  obvious,  perhaps  to 
very  great  extent  may  not  have  existed.  Yet  henceforth  those  corrupt 
trials,  sanctioned  as  they  seem  to  be,  certainly  not  disavowed,  by  the  fra- 
ternity, must  infuse  the  i)oison  of  their  example  through  the  entire  sphere 
of  its  influence.  The  danger  is  neither  imaginary  nor  trifling  ;  and  even 
the  jealousies,  engendered  by  the  morbid  condition  of  communities  where 
masonry  blends  its  uncongenial  principles  with  the  elements  of  society, 
must  materially  weaken  the  veneration  of  the  public  for  judicial  dicisions, 
and  thus  endanger  one  of  the  strongest  pillars  of  our  happy  institutions. 

With  the  deceptive  character  of  the  pretensions  of  masonry  to  scien- 
tific excellence  and  to  extraordinary  chaiity,  the  public  have  been  made 
fully  acquainted  by  the  disclosures  of  some  of  the  most  candid  and  respec- 
table of  its  members,  who  have  had  the  courage  to  abjure  their  allegiance. 
These  comparatively  harmless  boasts,  and  even  its  puerile  ceremonies 
and  its  ridiculous  pageantry,  we  willingly  leave  to  be  quietly  practised  and 
enjoyed  in  the  recesses  of  the  Lodge.  But  the  evils  we  would  avert  or 
exterminate,  and  to  which  we  have  before  alluded,  are  of  such  a  nature, 
that  the  fabric  of  society  is  endangered  by  their  countinuance.  Gladly 
will  we  hail  the  day,  when  masons  shall  renounce  their  exclusive  privileges^ 
and  abjure  the  oaths  and  obligations  which  conflict  with  their  duties  as 


70  LETTER    TO    MR.    RUSH, 

citizens  and  christians.  Their  lellow  citizens  would  receive  them  with 
cordiality,  and  restore  them  to  their  confidence  and  esteem.  Hitherto 
seceders  from  their  ranks  have  encountered  the  hatred  and  obloquy  of  the 
whole  order,  by  their  intrepid  and  virtuous  course.  The  independence 
and  courage  required  to  form  and  execute  a  resolution  to  secede,  can  only 
be  found  in  a  few  superior  minds.  Without  doubt  the  great  majority  of 
the  fraternity,  less  interested  and  less  prejudiced  than  their  privileged  and 
exalted  dignitaries,  would  be  easily  induced  to  relinquish  the  ties  and  the 
trappings,  v^rith  which  they  find  themselves  encumbered.  But  the  arts 
and  exertions  of  the  few  inflame  their  pride  and  their  prejudices,  by 
misrepresenting  our  efforts  and  chaiging  us  with  proscription  and  perse- 
cution. We  trust,  however,  the  day  approaches  when  the  public  voice 
shall  be  so  loud  and  so  unanimous,  that  the  infatuated  and  spell-bound 
devotees  of  masonic  delusion  shall  be  awakened  to  reason,  and  shall  joy- 
fully fly  from  the  dangers  which  beset  them,  to  the  long  deserted  ranks  of 
their  fellow  citizens  and  friends. 

In  the  pleasure  and  satisfaction  at  such  a  result  of  their  labors,  the  op- 
ponents of  masonry  will  forget  the  unmerited  reproaches  so  often  repeated, 
of  being  disturbers  of  the  quietof  their  neighbors,  promoters  of  quarrels, 
fomenters  ofjealousies,  selfishly  ambitious  of  honor  and  office,  and  what- 
ever else  the  desi)eration  of  masonic  zealots  now  alleges  against  them.  It 
will  be  for  them  a  high  reward  to  see  their  present  adversaries  liberated 
from  the  meshes  of  a  mischievous  delusion,  and  their  country  relieved  from 
an  inveterate  evil.  This  pleasure  will  be  greatly  heightened  by  the  reflec- 
tion that  in  effecting  their  object  they  have  coincided  in  the  views,  and  in 
a  humble  degree  contributed  to  the  success,  which  yourself  and  other 
eminent  and  highly  gifted  citizens  have  been  so  conspicuous  in  accom- 
plishing. 

Wetender  you.  Sir,  in  behalf  of  the  Convention,  the  assurance  of  our 
high  respect  and  consideration. 


TIMOTHY  FULLER,  President. 

Vice  Presidents- 


Stephen  P.  Gardner,   "I 
Abner  Phelps,  | 


Epaphras  Hoyt,  ^ 

MiCAH   H.   RUGGLES.  J 


MR.    RUSH'S    ANSWER. 

York,  Penasyi.vat^ia,  June  30,  1831 

Gentlevien: — Your  cointnuuicatioTi  dated  the  2l8t  of  May,  and  bearing  the 
Boston  post-mark  of  the  21st  of  this  month,  reached  me  on  the  26lh  instant, 
which  1  mention  as  it  will  account  for  what  might  otherwise  seem  a  long  in- 
terval between  its  date  and  this  acknowledgement. 

The  favorable  sentiments  which,  as  Delegates  of  a  Convention  lately  assem- 
bled in  Boston  from  various  parts  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  to 
adopt  measures  for  the  suppression  of  Freemasonry,  you  have  been  pleased  to 
express  of  the  views  which  I  have  given  to  the  public  upon  this  subject,  yield 
me  a  very  solid  satisfaction.  They  naturally  and  powerfully  tend  to  confirm 
in  my  own  mind  the  soundness  of  those  views.  They  demand  all  my  acknow- 
ledgements, which  I  beg  leave  to  tender  to  you,  fully  and  sincerely.  You 
have  yourselves  presented  views  of  the  subject,  other  than  those  which  I  took, 
that  are  full  of  importance.  The  subject  indeed  is  of  great  extent,  and  may  be 
usefully  discussed  under  a  variety  of  aspects,  as  different  minds  may  be  differ- 
ently affected  towards  it;  and  thus  the  aggregate  of  separate  contributions 
will  in  good  time  make  up  the  entire  volume  of  light  with  which  it  ought  to  be 
encompassed. 

In  the  letter  which  has  drawn  forth  your  obliging  communication  to  mc,  it 
was  my  object  to  hold  up  tho  dansjers  of  Masonry  as  seen  in  the  contest  it  has 
waged  with  the  Law  in  Morgan's  case,  and  the  victory  it  has  won.  That  part 
of  the  subject,  and,  in  direct  connexion  wiih  it,  the  enslavement  of  so  great  a 
portion  of  our  Newspaper  press  to  Masonry,  were  those  upon  which  alone  I 
meant  to  dwell.  I  thougijt  these  points  plain  and  practical,  and  the  ground 
under  each  so  slrong^,  that  it  was  impossible  not  to  stand  firmly  upon  it.  As 
farther  refioction  leacis  me  to  think  it  still  stronger  than  at  first,  and  as  I  have 
now,  in  addition,  your  valued  approbation,  besides  that  of  others  of  my  fellow 
citizens  whose  approbation  cannot  but  be  flattering,  I  will  claim  your  indul. 
gencc  whilst  1  throw  out  a  few  more  ideas  under  the  same  heads,  and  perhaps 
incidentally  upon  some  others.  It  is  of  the  Law  of  which  I  chiefly  desire  to 
speak,  in  its  connexion  with  Masonry,  because  it  is  of  the  utmost  moment  that 
its  true  doctrines  should  be  understood.  Not  only  do  all  onr  civil  rights  de- 
pend upon  the  true  understanding  of  them,  but  also  our  public  liberty.  First 
however,  of  the  Press. 

The  thraldom  of  the  press  was  evinced  by  its  general  silence  under  the  foul 
deed  of  Morgan's  abduction  and  murder;  or  by  the  absence  of  that  decided  in- 
dignation with  which  it  ought  to  have  followed  it  up,  such  as  the  press  is  sure 
to  manifest  in  other  cases  where  great  crimes  are  perpetrated  ;  or,  what  was 
more  disreputable  still,  by  not  unfrequenily  treating  the  whole  subject  with 
levity,  making  it  the  occasion  of  coarse  ribaldry  and  unseemly  merriment. 
The  friends  of  the  press  will  have  cause  to  blush,  as  often  as  this  part  ofitg 
history  in  our  country  is  recalled.  They  will  feel  shame  in  recollecting,  that 
when  tho  liberty  and  life  of  a  citizen  were  struck  down  by  a  conspiracy  of  eit- 
traordinary  boldness  and  malignity,  an  iirjmenso  majority  of  the  American 
press,  as  far  as  I  had  any  means  of  knowing,  to  repeat  the  expression  of  my 
former  letter,  if  it  spoke  at  all,  would  not  speak  out ;  that  against  all  its  nature 
and  habits,  it  grew  tame  ;  or  even  if  at  first,  to  save  appearances,  it  did  make 
•?ome  demonstrations,  and  show  a  guarded  indignation,  that  it  soon  grew  in, 
becoming  indifferent,  becoming  blind,  to  an  unspeakable  outrage,  that  it  knew 
to  be  still  unavenged.  In  fact,  that  it  laid  down  its  vigilance,  its  intelligence 
and  its  spirit,  at  the  footstool  of  Freemasonry.  More  reprehensible  than  all : — 
that,  reversing  its  true  dutier,  it  absolutely  exerted  its  spirit  and  launched  forth 
its  virtuous  horror  only  against  those  who  embarked  in  the  pursuit  of  justice,  by 
branding  that  pursuit  as  an  unnecessary  "  excitement ;''  and  that  finally,  in  ef- 
fect, it  passed  over — the  necessary  consequences  of  its  measured  step  against 
tbe  rrime  in  the  beginning   -to  the  side  of  the  offending  party,  where  now  it  i* 


72 

seen  in  full  jux'a  position,  adminiptoring  to  Masonry  Ihe  comfort  which  it 
needs  in  tliis  remarkable  fellowship.  Such,  in  a  word,  has  been  the  course  of 
the  press.  Often,  in  other  times  and  countries,  it  has  been  silenced  by  arbitra- 
ry will,  or  bought  up  by  corrupting  gold;  but  in  this  country,  it  has  been  be- 
strodden  by  Masonry.  Servitude  under  any  circumstances,  is  humiliating  ; 
but  in  the  lowest  depth,  there  is  a  lower  deep  ;  and  that  our  press  should  have 
bowed  down  in  worship  to  this  Idol,  is  the  step  into  that  deep.  A  late  writer 
on  the  "  Principles  of  Morality,"  Dymond,  whose  early  death  those  who  stand 
high  in  letters  in  Britam  deplore  as  a  public  loss,  whilst  discussing  the  subject 
of  newspapers,  utters  this  .striking  opinion;  "that  there  are  some  creditable 
editors  loko  do  harm  in  the  world,  to  an  extent  in  comparison  vnth  ichich  robber- 
ies and  treason  are  as  nothing."  I  g;ive  the  passage  in  his  own  emphatic 
words.  If  this  searching  writer,  as  he  has  been  called, — he  was  of  the  society 
of  Friends  and  an  honor  to  that  society, — could  have  witnessed  in  the  United 
States  the  subjection  of  a  large  band  of  editors  to  Masonry,  ho  would  not  sure- 
ly have  revoked  his  opinion.  On  the  contrary,  astonishment  and  disgust  must 
have  taken  possession  of  his  bosom  at  perceiving  how  the  press  in  a  country 
proud  of  its  freedotn,  could  have  come  under  such  a  yoke  ;  and,  being  under 
it,  how  it  could  pass  from  absurdity  to  absurdity,  at  one  time  losing  itself  in  a 
confusion  of  the  understanding,  at  another  in  a  tornado  of  passion,  in  attempts  to 
excuse  itself  for  not  doing  its  duty  to  the  public  under  an  event  as  authentic  as 
ever  arose  in  any  country,  for  drawing  out  all  its  honest  and  most  uncomprom- 
ising indignation. 

The  National  Intelligencer  of  the  llth  of  this  month,  now  lies  before  me. 
This  newspaper  has  long  been  published  in  the  capital  of  the  Union.  For  high 
and  various  merit,  I  do  not  believe  tliat  it  is  exceeded  by  any  journal  in  this, 
or  in  any  country.  Its  conductors  do  honor  to  a  profession  as  noble  and  useful 
in  its  honorable  exercise,  as  it  is  mischievous  and  unworthy  in  its  abuse.  Ele- 
vated in  mind,  they  never,  whatever  their  own  views  of  subjects,  fail  to  state 
fairly  the  views  of  those  from  whom  they  differ,  and  never  to  my  remembrance 
have  they,  in  the  whole  course  of  their  career,  soiled  their  columns  v/ith  person- 
al indecorums.  Yet,  what  do  my  eyes  behold  ?  This  paper,  candid  as  it  is,  faith- 
fully as  it  desseminates  all  other  information,  ably  as  it  discusses  all  other  ques- 
tions, will  not  touch  that  of  Aniimascnry.  It  will  not  permit  itself"  to  be  instru- 
mental in  fomenting  an  excitement,  ichich,  prevailing  extensiTcly  in  some  parts 
of  the  country,  had  its  origiji  in  the  indignation  justly  excited  by  the  abduction 
some  years  ago,  of  a  peison  by  the  name  of  Morgan  .'"  A  person  by  the  name 
OF  MoRG.\N  ! !  Thus  do  these  experienced  editors  speak  of  the  case  as  if  it 
were  still  new  to  a  large  part  of  their  numerous  readers  ;  which  probably,  was 
the  fact.  It  seems  to  have  been  the  first  time  that  they  had  meddled  with  it, 
and  it  is  intimated  that  their  press  will  meddle  with  it  no  more.  Is  not  this 
enough  to  shock  us  .^  Will  more  proof  be  called  for,  except  by  the  infatuated, 
of  the  bowing  down  of  the  press  before  the  unseen,  wide-sweeping  scourge  of 
the  Masonic'institution  ?  The  estimable  citizens  no  less  than  acco-^plished 
editors  to  whom,  and  to  whose  press,  I  here  venture  to  allude  in  furtherance  of 
the  principle  I  have  in  hand,  may  be  well  assured  that  it  is  done  in  not  the 
slightest  spirit  of  personal  disesteem.  They  are  themselves,  I  dare  to  say,  un- 
aware of  the  controlling  influences  under  which  they  labor ;  they  do  not  per- 
ceive how  tiiey  breathe  them  in  with  the  social  atmosphere  ;  how  they  are 
dripping  with  the  deleterious  damps  of  Masonry,  without  knowing  how  they 
come,  any  more  than  the  damps  of  the  night. 

As  to  the  Law,  never  in  any  age  or  nation  was  it  more  coinpletely  laid  pros- 
trate by  any  power,  than  masonry  has  done  it  in  the  case  of  Morgan.  If  this 
be  not  enough  to  consign  it  to  reprobation  in  a  free  state,  there  is  nothing  else 
that  will.  We  have  been  wont  to  talk  of  the  law  being  sovereign  with  us  ; 
but  it  is  Masonry  that  is  sovereign,  as  things  now  stand.  This  is  no  uncon- 
sidered assertion.  I  shall  proceed  to  the  proof,  with  a  confidence  than  which 
the  human  mind  never  would  be  justified  in  feeling  more,  on  any  moral  propo- 
sition. It  rests  on  evidence  strong  as  adamant,  though  it  be  not  all  technical 
evidence.  It  rests  on  piinciples  co-extensive  with  the  civilized  world  ;  princi- 
ples out  of  which  empires  have  arisen,  and  will  arise  again.  Did  our  father* 
of  '76  consult  Gilbert's  law  of  evidence,  or  the  chapter  in  Hawkins,  to  know  if 
every  act  of  oppression  against  them   could  be  technically  proved  in  court.' 


73 

Did  the  English  of  1688,  or  the  French  of  last  .Tuly,  stand  upon  such  c'octrine  ? 
The  public  safety  is  not  thus  to  be  cavilled  away,  it  is  not,  as  Lord  Chatham 
said,  to  depend  upon  books  with  tlie  leaves  turned  down  in  dogs  ears.  Every 
successive  day,  that  finds  the  murder  of  Morgan  unavenged,  marks  a  continua- 
tion of  the  outrage  which  the  longer  existence  of  Masonry  in  our  country,  car» 
ries  with  it ;  as  the  Masons  who  coinmilted  it,  or  who  knew  of  it,  still  ehide 
punishment  by  clinging  to  their  Masonic  obligations,  which  they  hold  to  be 
superior  to  the  law.  Though  it  be  even  admitted,  that  this  arises  from  fana- 
ticism in  them,  which  perverts  the  true  intention  of  the  Masonic  obligation, 
society  equally  suffers  and  is  equally  outraged.  When  the  institution,  affect- 
ing to  complain  of"  -persecution,''  exclainis,  "  punish  the  guilty,  but  not  the  in- 
nocent,"  it  falls  into  a  mockery,  which  affronts  society  anew  ;  lor  it  is  the  very 
Masonic  obligation  itseW,  which  never  would  have  place  but  for  the  Institution, 
that  enables  the  guilty  to  elude  tlie  law.  When,  too,  the  Institution,  rearing 
its  presumptuous  crest  to  a  parallel  with  Christianity,  tells  us  that  crimes  com- 
mitted in  the  name  of  the  latter  are  not  allowed  to  recoil  upon  religion,  and 
claims  tor  Masonry  tho  same  indulgence,  it  advances  a  claim  more  audacious 
than  absurd  ;  a  claim  that  no  unbiassed  mind  will  notice,  unless  to  remark 
upon  its  greater  sacrilege  than  sophistry  ;  as  it  the  oaths,  and  grips,  and  mys- 
teries, and  titles,  and  the  whole  train  of  anticks,  in  alliance  with  which  Mason- 
ry finds  it  indispensable  to  perform  her  charities,  were  all  of  sacred  origin  ;  all 
jure  divino,  like  the  claim  of  monarchs  of  old  to  their  thrones.  The  thoughts 
of  such  a  parallel,  make  Masonry  doubly  hateful,  showing  that  it  is  blown  up 
by  itnpious  inflation;  that  not  content  with  causing  murder  upon  earth,  it  is 
for  mounting  up  afterwards  into  heaven. 

But  its  pretensions  to  religion  form  a  branch  of  tho  discussion  into  which  I 
did  not  go,  nor  do  1  desire  to  go.  The  only  concern  that  society  at  large  can 
have  with  Masonry  politically,  is  on  the  ground  of  its  doing  a  positive  injury 
to  society.  What  its  predilections  may  incite  it  to  cherish  in  theory  or  enact 
in  practice,  within  its  own  walls,  those  outside  need  npt  care  about.  Let  it 
employ  itself  as  any  other  benevolent,  or  festive,  or  theological  brotherhood,  if 
any  or  all  such  it  constitutes,  with  its  own  duties  and  pastimes,  as  long  as  it 
keeps  within  its  own  limits.  But  the  line  must  never  be  passed.  It  exists 
permissively,  under  the  license  of  society.  The  continuance  of  its  charter, 
depends  upon  its  innocent  conduct.  Tliis  must  be  unequivocal  and  invariable. 
There  must  be  no  exception  collaterally,  any  more  than  directly.  The  mo» 
mont  it  is  discovered  that  perjons  belonging  to  this  brotherhood  can  conspire 
against  the  liberty  alnd  life  of  a  citizen  who  had  broken  no  law  ot  the  land,  but 
merely  some  of  its  own  edicts,  and  when  these  persons  can  escape  detection 
by  persuariing  themselves  that  the  voluntary  oaths  and  other  self-assumed  ob- 
ligations which  bind  them  to  the  brotherhood  are  of  higher  authority  than  the 
laws,  no  matter  under  what  mistaken  notions  of  those  oaths  and  obligations 
they  act,  from  that  moment  the  whole  Institution,  from  which  such  rank  delu- 
sions and  tremendous  perils  proceed,  assumes  a  new  relation  to  society.  It  is 
placed  in  the  attitude  of  an  aggressor.  It  ridas  over  the  laws.  It  is  guilty  ; 
constructively  if  you  will,  but  obviously  and  legally  guilty.  It  stands  respon- 
sible for  the  blood  of  a  citizen.  In  vain  it  may  allege  that  its  precepts  incul- 
cate obedience  to  the  laws,  whilst  its  ignorant  or  wicked  members  violate  theni 
through  a  feehng  which  the  Institution  generates,  in  their  minds  at  least. 
The  cry  that  it  is  "  persecuted,"  is  a  contradiction  to  common  sense.  It  can 
no  longer  claim  protection  like  other  bodies  of  nien,ainited  for  their  own  pur- 
poses. Society  and  such  an  Institution  cannot  exist  m  safety  together,  and  the 
latter  must  give  way.  The  first  principles  of  society,  all  the  securities  that 
keep  it  from  frying  asunder,  stamp  this  reasoning  with  truth.  It  spiings  from 
the  first  impulses  of  the  mind,  and  is  ratified  by  the  covenants  of  every  code. 
No  lawyer,  no  judge,  no  publicist,  in  whatever  clime  he  may  live,  unless  his 
understanding  be  subdued  by  Masonry,  can  gainsay  its  force.  The  master  id 
answerable  for  the  servant,  the  superior  for  the  interior,  the  party  pararnounts 
^<:)r  him  who  acts  under  infiuenca.  The  very  dog  unchained,  \vho  does  injury 
in  the  streets,  fixes  liability  upon  the  owner.  These  are  primordial  maxims  of 
jurisprudence,  locally  and  universally.  They  He  at  the  foundation  of  individ- 
ual, social,  and  political  safety.  No  governments,  no  communities,  pone  of  the 
links  of  civil  life,  could  bold  together  a  day  without  their  f>hield.     They  aro 

10 


14  MH.  rush's  answer. 

the  cement  of  each  within  I'self,  and  of  all  to  each  other.  Let  it  not  be  said 
that  the  responsibility  is  for  civil  misconduct,  not  crime.  This  is  a  distinction 
that  can  avail  Masonry  nothing.  Nobody  dreams  of  indicting  innocent  Ma- 
sons for  the  mm  der  ot  Morgan  ;  but  only  of  putting  an  end  to  the  Institution 
for 'the  sufficient  reason  that  guilty  Masons  took  his  life  through  an  ignorant 
misunderstanding  or  corrupt  perversion  of  their  ties  to  that  Institution.  It  is 
this  that  brings  legal  guilt  home  to  the  Institution,  on  the  question  now  raised 
as  between  itself  and  society.  It  shows  the  Institution  to  have  been  the  moV" 
ing  spring  to  the  crime  ;  the  influence  paramount  that  instigated  it;  the  supe* 
rior  power,  I  do  not  say  that  commanded — this  is  not  necessary  to  the  argu- 
ment— but  that  caused  the  crime.  Here  is  enough,  (unless  indeed  this  fungus 
of  human  device,  this  mere  craft  of  man,  is  to  go  on  wiih  its  claim  to  co-equal- 
ity with  Christianity,)  quite  enough,  to  bring  it  under  the  broad  conservative 
maxim  of  the  law  to  which  I  appeal.  We  must  look  at  the  maxim  in  its  high- 
est reason  ;  not  merely  as  one  to  be  pleaded  in  a  court  of  common  law,  but 
designed,  in  the  far  wider  range  of  its  dignity  and  justice,  to  throw  its  protec- 
tion over  mankind.  We  make  Masonry  amenable  to  it,  in  the  only  way  in 
which  the  American  people  in  their  collective  capacity,  can  apply  its  saving 
efficacy  ;  viz  :  by  insisting  that  the  Institution  which  caused  the  crime,  be 
dissolved.  The  great  coronev  of  the  nation — such  would  the  press  have  been 
on  this  emergency  if  it  had  not  shamefully  deserted  its  post — holding  an  in- 
quest over  the  dead  body  of  Morgan,  could  render  no  other  verdict,  if  the  ver- 
dict covered  the  whole  ground,  than  that  he  came  to  his- death  by  Masons,  and 
tkrovgk  Maso7iry.  If  the  verdict  were  qualified  by  saying  the  bad  spirit  of 
Masonry,  not  its  good,  what  difference  would  this  make  to  the  nation,  seeing 
that  Masonry,  in  some  form  or  other,  was  the  source  ot  the  whole  transaction. 
To  the  nation  therefore  is  Ma,sonry,  upon  the  soundest  principles  of  law,  ac- 
countable for  his  death.  The  safety  of  the  people  is  the  supreme  law, 
which  will  disdain  all  shadowy  distinctions  in  a  case  of  this  magnitude  and 
concern.  It  is  from  Masonry  that  the  Commonwealth  has  received  detriment 
in  the  destruction  of  a  citizen,  and  the  old  custom  of  Rome  should  be  revived  ; 
the  people  must  take  care  that  it  receives  no  more. 

This  conservative  maxim  of  jurisprudence,  i«i  seen  in  its  broadest  application 
when  in  force  between  nation  and  nation.  The  entire  family  of  independent 
nations,  acknowledge  its  indisputable  validity.  Hence  goverments,  and  conse- 
quently nations,  are  held  responsible  for  a  mere  indignity  offered  to  the  person 
of  a  citizen  of  another  nation,  although  the  nation,  collectively  within  whoso 
limits  the  indignity  may  have  been  committed,  be  free  from  all  imputation  of 
an  intentional  guilt.  History  abounds  with  such  facts,  and  with  accounts  of 
wars,  followed  up  to  the  overthrow  of  nations,  growing  out  of  them.  I  might 
mention,  as  a  very  fresh  illustration  of  the  general  doctrine,  the  course  just 
pursued  by  France  in  despatching  a  squadron  to  the  Tagus,  to  avenge  the  de- 
grading treatment  shown  to  a  French  subject  in  Lisbon,  although  it  would  ap« 
pear  to  have  been  denied  that  the  Portuguese  King  (Don  Miguel)  had  given 
any  sanction  to  the  outrage  ;  for  the  French  Minister's  note  of  reclamation, 
does  not  undertake  positively  to  say  that  it  had  his  sanction.  Had  Lisbon  even 
been  bombarded  and  its  innocent  inhabitants  suffered,  it  would  be  nothing 
more  than  we  have  seen,  in  effect,  in  analagous  cases  among  independent  na- 
tions. Yet  Masonry,  in  defiance  of  all  this,  in  defiance  of  the  absorbing  and 
transcendant  nature  of  public  rights,  v/hether  as  claimed  and  exercised  so  in- 
variably by  states  within  themselves,  or  internationally,  affects  to  thmk  that  it 
is  not  to  answer  for  an  offence  committed  by  the  immediate  members  of  its  own 
body,  acting  from  a  spirit  infused  into  them  by  that  body.  The  latter  ingredi- 
ent makes  the  case  tar  stronger  than  the  one  just  cited,  or  any  other  likely  to 
occur  between  States  ;  not  to  mention  other  enormities  in  the  case  of  Morgan 
that  recoil  de  jure,  and,  as  we  shall  see  presently,  de  facto  too,  upon  the 
Lodge.  But  what  am  I  saying  ?  Why  do  I  forget  myself.?  With  governments 
masonry  will  hold  no  parallel  ;  with  nations  it  will  hold  no  parallel  ;  nothing 
but  Christianity  is  its  compeer  !  The  Lodge  and  the  Church,  are  ever  in  ce- 
lestial glory  coupled.  Christianity  is  not  answerable  for  the  bad  deeds  of 
Christians}  therefore,  masonry  must  not  be  answerablo  for  the  bad  deeds  of 
masons  I  Such  is  the  consummate  blasphemy  of  masonic  logick.  Sometimes^ 
indeed,  it  will  stoop,  a  little.     It  will  transiently  condescend  to  compara  itself 


76 

with  the  Senate  of  ihe  United  Slates  ;  or,  being  fond  of  old  things,  to  the  old 
Revolutionary  Congress.  It  is  in  the  matter  of  ^ecrec^,  that  it  thus  comes  be- 
low its  heavenly  aspirations.  The  comparison  purports,  that  as  nations  some- 
times transact  their  affairs  with  closed  doors,  the  nation  of  Freemasons  have 
also  a  good  r\%h\.  to  close  theirs  eternally,  with  the  superadiiition,  en  bagatelle^ 
of  eternal  oaths,  and  penalties,  lest  they  con)e  to  be  opened. 

Let  us  look  into  the  moving  spring  of  all  this  sell  exaltat:on.  It  may  not 
lie  so  much  below  the  surfacj  as  that  common  peneti\iiion  cannot  easily  get  to 
it,  if  it  will  but  be  exerted,  I  am  unwilling  to  transgress  upon  your  kindness 
by  makine:  my  letter  too  long  ;  but  the  subject  is  fufl  of  interest. 

The  public  have  so  long  been  familiarized  t(^the  name  of  Freemasonry,  and 
it  urges  its  claims  upon  the  public  so  imperiously,  that  we  have  not  yet  learned 
to  treat  it  as  it  deserves  to  be  treated  ;  that  is  with  nothing  more  nor  less  than 
justice.  Through  the  same  cause,  its  own  sensibilities  have  got  into  the  worst 
state  of  morbidness,  so  as  to  be  vulnerable  to  the  slightest  touch.  Wrapping 
itself  up  in  itsexclusiveness,  it  has  no  ear  lor  the  truths  of  this  world.  It 
seems  as  if  neither  its  understanding  nor  its  moral  faculty,  could  be  reached 
by  them.  It  asi?s  a  standard  by  which  to  be  judged  applicable  to  no  associa- 
tion of  individuals  of  subordinate  and  secular  organization,  in  existence,  If 
this  standard  be  denied,  it  puts  forth  complaints  of  hardship,  and  anon  falls  in- 
to paroxysms  of  fury,  as  if  the  foundations  of  tlje  world  were  struck  at ; 

Assumes  the  God, 

Affects  to  nod, 

And  seems  to  shake  the  spheres. 

This  is  ever  its  magisterial  port.  Remote  ages  are  invoked,  and  names  of  re- 
nown among  the  quick  and  the  dead  ;  the  cardinal  virtues  are  marshalled  as 
testimonials,  beaming  like  the  fires  of  Elusis,  to  overpower  the  scepticism  or 
silence  the  contumacy  of  all  who  presume  to  breathe  a  doubt  against  its  puri- 
ty or  raise  a  finger  against  its  sway.  It  is  fit  says  Bacon,  that  we  sometimes 
burn  incense  where  bad  odours  have  been  raised.  So  it  is  with  masonry 
Thousands  who  join  it  by  crossing  the  threshold  o(  a  lodge  but  once  in  their 
lives,  because  they  find  that  once  enough,  know  no  more  of  what  passes  there 
afterwards,  than  of  what  is  going  on  in  "the  regions  to  which  Ulysses  descend- 
ed. But  by  setting  out  these  names,  by  dwelling  upon  bye-gone  centuri.e9, 
and  unrolling  the  faded  catalogue  of  its  other  merits,  which  the  uninitiated  are 
to  take  upon  the  credit  of  its  own  knights  in  buckler,  it  seeks  to  draw  aside  the 
understanding  from  a  scrutiny  into  iis  more  recent  achievements,  and  all  its 
existing  deserts.  It  may  be  profitable  to  detach  ourselves,  for  a  moment,  from 
these  demands  upon  our  reverence  and  look  at  the  case  before  us  under  a 
change  in  the  outward  circumstances,  but  of  none  whatever  in  the  real  sub- 
stance. This  mode  of  viewincr  it,  may  open  an  avenue  through  which  the 
judgment  can  pa?s,  without  the  common  hindrance*,  to  right  conclusions  on 
the  character  and  deeds  of  Masonry, 

Let  us  suppose  then,  that  a  new  society  had  been  forrned  in  the  United 
States  about  five  years  ago,  under  a- name  before  unknown  to  us,  and  mod- 
elled, we  will  also  say,  after  one  abroad  ;  for  example,  in  Constantino^jle, 
For  convenience,  we  will  give  it  a  name.  We  will  suppose  it  to  have  been 
called,  "  The  Brethren  of  the  Sun  and  Moon,  companions  of  the  Stars,  and 
Knights  of  the  crimson  turban.  Let  us  suppose  that  some  of  the  members  of 
this  society,  a  dozen  we  will  say,  had,  with  the  aid  of  certain  signs  known 
among  themselves,  and  to  all  moslems,  but  of  which  others  knew  nothing,  laid 
a  conspiracy  against  the  liberty  and  life  of  one  of  our  people  and  destroyed  both, 
for  breaking  some  of  its  own  self-created  rules.  Our  supposition  includes  the 
idea  of  secrecy,  as  fundamental  to  their  rules;  and  it  regards  the  society  as 
composed  of  Americans  as  well  as  foreigners.  Let  us  further  and  lastly  sup- 
pose, that  these  titled  and  turbaned  associators  had  them,  by  virtue  of  certain 
cabalistical  vows  that  bound  them  to  their  society  and  to  each  other  with  an 
energy  as  if  inscribed  on  the  banner  of  the  prophet,  continued  to  defy,  for  full 
four  years  out  of  the  five  of  the  society's  existence,  all  our  courts  and  juries  to 
convict  them  of  this  conspiracy  and  murder,  although  their  guilt  was  ?o  fla- 
grant that  no  intelligent  mind  would  think  of  doubting  it:— what  would  not 
nave  been  the  feeling  of  the  people  every  where  against  such  a  eociety,  and 


76  MR-  hush's  answer. 

what  lawful  means  would  have  been  left  untried  for  its  suppression  ?  Now, 
here  is  the  case  of  Morgan  and  Masonry,  simply  butsubstauiially  staled.  The 
only  defect  is,  that,  for  brevity's  sake,  I  concede  too  much  to  Masomy  in  the 
case  assumed. 

And,  is  tht're  any  thing  in  the   masonic   society  that  should  exempt'  it  from 
the  fate  to  wliich  such  a  new-born  society  would    have  been  exposed?     What 
is  it  that  gives  to  the  former,  privileges  beyorui   any   other  association  of  men, 
that  we  sliou'd  not  honestly  and   fearlessly  denounce  it,    and  trample  upon  it, 
as  its  »)wn  adherents  trample  upon    the    law  ?     What   is    the    meaning  of  the 
statutes  oi  prcrmnihe,  of  which  the  horn-books  of  the  law  give  us  an  accoimi? 
Do  we  not  know,  that  the  essence  of  the  offence  at  which  they  were  levelled, 
consisted  in  introducing  into  the  land  a  power  above  the  law  ;    something  that 
prevented  its  fair  execuuon  ?     Jfind  has  not    masonry  done  this  very  thing  in 
Morgan's  case  ?     W  ho  will  say  that  prohibitory  statutes  might  not  be  enacted 
against  the  Institution  in  New  York  ?     There  would    have    been   little  hesita- 
tion, we  may  be  assuied,  in  bringing  the  Turkish  society,   the  case  of  which  I 
have  put,  under  the  sharpest  i»enal  legislation,  if  it  had  not    been  made  to  dis- 
appear under  more  immediate  bursts  of  public  detestation.     And  on  what  plea 
should  masonry  escape  ?     Its  antiquity  ?     This  is  precisely  the  strongest  reason 
for  putting  it  down.     Ancient  abusfs  are   sure   to  be  the  most  formidable,   in 
every  comnjunity  disfigured  by  their  existence.     They  make  a  claim  to  sanc- 
tity on  this  ground,  like  the  English  rotten  borough  system,  and  work  evil  the 
more  fatally  under  every  form.     Time    is   a  power   which  the  artful   play  off 
upon  the  credulity  of  mankind.     Do  we    requite  the  proof  .^     How  else  could 
it  have  happened,  that  masonry  has  stood  even    to  this  day  in  a  country  like 
purs,  whilst  indulging  itself  in  pageantries  and  taking  to  itself  titles,  that  have 
not  only  been  banished  from  European  countries,  but  that    surpa^-s    all  Asiatic 
exaggeration,  and  have  been  forced  to  seek  refuge  in  the  uncivilized  or  ruffian 
tastes  of  such  courts  asTin)buctoo  and  Algiers  ?  Positively,  there  is  an  excess 
in  them,  a  picture  of  elaborate  burlesque,  revolting  to   all  rationality,  and  that 
might  well  startle  the  fabled  Momus,  could  he  raise  his  visor   to   behold  them 
Tne  explanation  is  historical,  but  where  is  any  longer  the  excuse,  whatever 
the  more  recent  date  of  its  regular  formation  in  Britain  ?     Masonry  rose  up  in 
Europe,  in  times  full  of  barbarism.     It  has  remained  at  anchor,  surrounded  by 
its  prejudices,  whilst  the  current  has  boms  the  rest  of  society  onward,  enlight' 
ening   it  in  all  ways,  but  in  none  more  than  in  getting  rid  of  mysticism  and 
pomposity,  not  only  in  government,  but  in  all  the  concerns  ol"  life.     To  these 
two  attributes  masonry  clings  with  an  especial  tenacity.     She   would  have  the 
world  imagine,   that   the  charity  which   other   societies   can  dispense  with  a 
simplicity  befitting  this   virtue,   and    which    Heaven   teaches   every  man    to 
bestow  with  open  palm  upon  his  brother  man,  though  he  be  no  brother  mason, 
must  all  be  performed   in    conjunction  with  mimic  signs,  the   memorials  of  a 
rude  and  tyrannous  age.     It  was  an  age  when    the  strength  of  the  human  un- 
derstandhig  was   displayed   by   its    belief  in   astrology  ;   vi'hen  freedom   was 
shown  by  the  va.«salage  of  the  common  people  ;   and  when  barons  and  bishops 
pot  being    able    to  write  their   names,    made    their    significant  marks  instead 
thereof;  after  the  fashion,    we  may  suppose,    of  some  of  the   siill   enduring 
symbols  of  freemasonry  I     Such  was  its  peculiar  age,  such  the  advancement  of 
intellect,  such  the  condition  of  civil  liberty  in   the  atmosphere  of  which  it  in- 
haled  its  nutriment.     An  appropriate  and  beneficial  pattern,  for   moulding  the 
principle^  and  warming  the  affections  of  American  republicans! 

The  follies  over  which  time  throws  its  mantle  in  the  case  of  this  Institution, 
are  egregious  and  grotesque.  Any  mind  that  will  contemplate  them  in  the 
abstract  rather  than  the  concrete,  must  get  awake  to  their  exorbitancy.  But 
these  miurht  be  overlooked  perhaps,  on  the  principle  of  leaving  all  men  to  the 
fi uition  of  their  own  taste*;,  did  not  time  do  much  more  for  masonry.  Its  awful 
hoar  becomes  a  cover  for  its  downright  enormities.  This  is  a  strong  expres- 
sion, but  not  too  strong — not  strong  enough — as  what  I  am  now  to  state 
will  prove.  The  fiends  who  actually  took  the  life  of  Morgan,  have  not, 
as  we  know,  to  this  hour  been  discovered  ;  but  some  of  the  brother- 
hood who  had  a  hand  in  the  conspiracy,  have  been  convicted  and  sent  to 
prison.  Will  it  be  credited,  that  these  convicts  are  still  permitted  to  retain 
l^eir  membership  in  the  New  York  Lodges  -      This  if  the  fact.     They  are  the 


MR.    RUSHES    AN6WEK  77 

companions  of  felony  in  the  jail,  and  of  masonry  out  of  it ;  one  day  consorting 
with  the  brotherhood  of  malefactors  ;  tho  next,  with  their  own  brotherhood  ! 
You,  gentlemen,  are  probably  aware  of  this  fart.  I  derive  it  not  from  the 
antimasonic  newspapers  alone,  but,  recently,  through  other  channels  ;  for  at 
first  I  thounrht  there  inust  be  some  mistake,  and  abstained  from  mentioning  it  in 
my  former  letter.  It  seemed  too  much  for  belief.  Would  not  lani;uage  have 
failed  to  convey  the  sense  of  universal  iisdifination,  had  any  other  society  than 
that  of  ancient  freeina.«onry  fallen  into  such  conduct .'  Would  not  any  other 
have  been  blasted  by  every  tongue,  every  pen,  everj'  press,  in  the  nation  ? 
Let  the  presses  devoted  to  masonry  answer.  But  how  many  of  them  have 
blazoned  to  the  world  thi^  masonic  enormity  ?  Perhaps  they  have  not  known 
of  it?  benighted  sentinels,  they  are  always  in  ignorance  !  Perhaps  they  wait 
for  the  technical  evidence  .''  cautious  sentinels,  they  are  never  too  quick  in 
firing!  no,  not  o^  masonry,  for  the  world  ;  but  O  how  prompt,  how  valiant, 
how  terrible,  the  discharjie  at  its  foes  !  how  the  trumpet  of  war  sounds  !  how 
the  clans  assemble  !  liow  (he  towers  of  the  Lodge-universal  are  manned  ! 
what  signals  are  given  out!   what  chivalry  is  poured  forth  I    how 

Masonic  driiras,  enthusiastic, 

Are  beat  wid»  types,  instead  of  a-stick. 

The  last  conflagration  itself  seems  approaching  when  masonry  is  threatened. 
This  is  all  in  virtue  of  its  antiquity.  Its  liege  subjects  bow  down  in  homaae, 
and  being  "  ungirt  and  uncovered"  after  the  olden  time,  pledge  to  their  Idol 
"life  and  limb  and  terrenne  honor."  This  is  ancient  masonry.  This  is  the 
Institution  that  claims  respect  for  its  antiquity,  reverenee  for  its  purity,  and 
support  because  it  is^  ^'persecuted  ;""  the  Institutiou  that  takes  convicts  to  its 
arms,  receives  them  into  its  holiest  places !  If  a  Juvenal  should  rise  up  a- 
mong  us,  here  is  a  masonic  sceoe  worthy  of  immortal  verse,  or  there  is  none 
suchto  be  found  in  the  satires  of  (he  Roman  bard. 

A  few  more  reflections,  and  I  will  conclude.  When  masonry  calls  the  name 
of  Washington  to  its  aid,  it  commits  a  profanation  rivalling,  in  its  way,  the 
murder  of  Morgan  as  a  public  crime.  It  is  difficult  to  speak  of  it  and  maintain 
a  proper  decorum  ;  as  if  that  matchless  patriot  and  hero,  he  who  founded  our 
Republic  and  therefore  gave  it  its  laws,  who  led  us  through  the  countless  trials 
of  a  seven  years  war  without  a  single  violation  of  the  law,  as  if  he,  could  he 
have  lived  to  see  the  day  when  a  band  of  conspirators  from  the  brotherhood 
would  ferociously  murder  a  citizen  and  then  defy  the  law,  under  oaths  and 
salvoes  which  but  for  masonry  they  never  would  have  dreamed  of, — as  if  he 
would  not  have  been  the  very  first  to  uproot  all  its  foundations,  could  he  have 
witnessed  this  spectacle.  As  surely  as  he  always  vindicated  the  supremacy 
of  the  law,  so  surely  would  he  have  given  up  masonry  when  he  found  it  strong- 
er than  the  law.  As  surely  as  he  tore  to  pieces  his  oath  of  allegiance  to. 
George  III.  that  once  bound  him  to  monarchy,  so  surely  would  he  have  given 
to  the  winds  all  the  extra-judicial  and  bombastical  oaths  that  once  bound  him. 
to  masonry.  There  are  some  persons  belonging  to  this  Institution,  who  cannot 
or  who  will  not  reason  upon  the  subject  of  it;  but  from  enlightened  and  can- 
did masons  we  may  hope  otherwise  ;  and  before  the  great  body  of  the  public 
we  have  a  right  to  expect,  that  it  will  be  considered  and  treated  like  any  other 
source  of  danger  to  the  public.  Its  charity,  like  all  other  virtue,  would  sur- 
vive the  stroke  of  death,  and  find  other  channels  through  which  to  diffuse  its 
relief  among  the  sons  of  men.  Above  all,  masonry  is  out  of  place,  in  the 
United  States.  It  is  a  hideous  exotic.  It  is  foreign  in  its  original  conception, 
and  in  all  its  present  habits.  Its  complication  and  concealmenfs  are  not 
American,  nor  its  ceremonial,  nor  any  part  of  its  l)yperboIical  nonienclature. 
An  atmospheie  of  political  freedom  and  openness,  is  not  its  element.  It  baa 
nothing  fanly  to  do  here,  and  as  its  spirit  is  active,  it  will  be  doing  mischief. 
The  wonder  is,  that  it  should  have  existed  as  long  as  it  has  done  under  insti- 
tutions so  totally  opposite  in  genius,  to  its  entire  creed  and  operations.  If  is 
loo  exclusive,  too  demanding,  too  intense  in  its  sympathies  within  its  own 
orbit,  to  have  favor  with  a  people  jealous  of  all  movements  apatt  from  their 
own  body,  where  no  oaths  tie  down,  no  mysteries  darken  the  path  of  conduct. 
It  has  escaped  the  hand  of  Ajuerican  reform  chiefly  because,  to  the  bulk  of  the 
people,  it  hag  remained  unknown  ;  but   now  that  a   stupendous  crime  agrainst 


78  MR    rush's  answer. 

society  committed  through  masonry,  and  remaining  unpunished  through  ma- 
sonry, has  inexorably  fastened  public  scrutiny  upon  the  Institution,  its  num- 
berless other  incongruities  with  our  system,  political  and  social,  are  driven  one 
after  another  from  their  lurking  places,  and  the  glory  of  its  overthrow  it  is 
hoped,  will  be  added  to  the  many  other  victories  of  American  good  sense,  over 
ancient  abuses.  May  it  be  swept  trom  our  land,  like  the  rotten  boroujrh 
system  from  England ;  which,  in  its  tiine,  has  had  as  stout  defenders.  The  privi- 
leges of  such  a  relic  ot'otlier  days  as  old  Sarum,  the  ultra  aristocracy  used  to 
say  weie  as  valuable  there,  as  some  amongst  us  would  have  it  believed  those 
of  the  lodge  are  here  ;  but  as  they  are  about  to  have  their  jubilee  in  England 
for  the  extirpation  of  the  one  monster,  let  us  have  ours  for  the  extirpation  of 
the  other.  Each  celebration  would  attest  the  triumph  of  reason  over  folly, 
tyranny,  and  craft;  and  their  simultaneous  echoes,  could  they  be  heard 
together,  Vsrould  alike  redound  to  the  honor  as  well  as  durable  advantage  of 
both  Nations. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain  with  great  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

RICHARD  RUSH 

To  THE  Hon.  TIMOTHY  FULLER, 

President,  and 

Stephen  P.   Gardner — Abner  Phelps — 
JElpAPHRAs    HoYT  and  M.  H.  Ruggles,  Esquires, 
Vice  Presidents  of  the  Antimasonic  Convention 
of  Massachusetts. 


TT^ 


^....^^. 


14  DAY  USE 

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